Obituary: Justine Kelly Gillen, 92, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Justine Kelly Gillen of Branford died Saturday January 29, 2022, at her home in Branford. She was the beloved wife of the late Peter Gillen. Justine was born March 16, 1929 in Putnam, CT, daughter of the late Thomas R. Kelly and Elizabeth Markham Kelly. Justine is survived by her daughters, Justine M. Gillen (husband, Valentino Tatasciore) of Branford and Paula Gillen of Boulder, CO.

Justine the youngest of the three children, (siblings Margarite and Thomas R. Kelly Jr.) moved with her family to West Haven, CT in 1937. She attended West Haven High School and graduated in 1947. Her favorite subjects were art and sewing and she was accomplished at both. At 14 she started making her own dresses and blouses using old clothing as fabric since it was scarce during WWII. Her father was a bricklayer, contractor, photographer, musician and avid gardener. Her mother was a grammar school teacher who enjoyed playing bridge and cooking. Elizabeth entertained the family by playing piano accompanied by Thomas who played banjo, guitar, and the mandolin.

During high school she attended the YMCA’s Senior Y InterGroup along with her older sister, Margarite, in New Haven, CT. There were weekly meetings every Friday night, with dancing afterwards. Barn dances and picnics were scheduled for the weekend at Hubinger Lake. West Haven native, Peter Gillen who served in the Army Air Force was in high spirits when he met Justine at a Y dance in 1945. They started dating in 1948 and got married in 1951 at Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Short Beach, Branford. Longtime residents of Short Beach, Peter and Justine were often found at the end of Bristol Street enjoying the sea air, birds, and light over Long Island Sound. Justine enjoyed living by the beach and fit right in with the area’s casual and friendly atmosphere. She liked to joke that her summer social calendar was organized around the High Tide table. Justine and Peter celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2001. Peter worked as an experimental machinist at Pratt and Whitney for 37 years on jet planes, submarines and space rockets. He was a lover of music and dancing, as well as an avid fisherman who passed away in 2006.

While raising her young family Justine worked as a bookkeeper at Second National Bank for three years and thirteen years as a part time sales representative for General Diaper Service. In her mid-40s she started volunteering with the Civic Association of Short Beach. She worked closely with others on zoning, neighborhood improvement and planning the annual Labor Day weekend celebration. In 1985 she received her Zoning Enforcement certificate from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. She was the Planning and Zoning Administrator for the town of Branford for many years until retiring in 2003. She received a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her 18-year dedication to her job and for her service to the town of Branford.

Justine will be remembered as a pretty woman with sparkling blue eyes and a big smile who loved fashion and dressed to look her best at all times. She took delight in social events, traveling, dancing, swimming, and decorating her house in shades of blue and purple with glass crystals hung from each window facing the shore. Well known in Branford, she was often stopped by people who appreciated the chance to catch up with her. She made everyone’s life brighter by sharing her kindness, sharp intelligence and good cheer with them. Her gracious demeanor and generous emotional support made her a pleasure to be around. After speaking with Justine, you always left her company feeling better about yourself and life in general. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her but her presence will live on in our hearts.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation Thursday morning from 9:00 - 11:00, with a funeral service at 11:00, in the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford.