Obituary: Kathleen Charlotte Ann O’Brien Ahern, 91, of Branford

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

Kathleen Charlotte Ann O’Brien Ahern, 91, of Branford, CT, died on December 26 2021. She was born September 2, 1930 in Meriden, CT to John and Kathleen (Flannery) O’Brien, both recent emigrants from County Cork Ireland.

Kathleen is survived by her daughters Charlene Brown (Ian) of Henley-on-Thames, England and Kathleen Ahern, currently of Branford; her grandchildren Sam, Hayley, Phoebe and Sadie Brown and great grandchild, Milo; her sister Geraldine Andrew (Robert); her brothers-in-law, Thomas Ahern and Samuel Alpizar, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews: her Godson, Scott Palmer (Debra), and the Palmer family who showed extraordinary generosity and kindness over the years.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, husband Cyril F. Ahern Jr (1995), sister Mary Alpizar and nieces Eliza Alpizar and Ellen Ahern Lunn, and her long-time feline companion, Chickie.

Kathleen grew up in Weston, CT and attended Staples High School (1948) where she enjoyed playing sports and was an avid softball player. Square dancing then became a fun pastime where she met her future husband at a St Patrick’s Day dance. Married in 1956, they spent their early years in East Haven, CT where she had begun her career as a bank teller for Connecticut Savings Bank. They enjoyed long Sunday afternoon drives along the shoreline towns looking for the perfect spot to spend their lives. They found one in Indian Neck Branford where they built their home in 1972 with a view of Long Island Sound where she remained to her last day.

Kathleen took time out for her family, then returned to work at First Federal Savings and Loan, now Webster Bank in Branford where she remained till she retired at the age of 83. Having worked at a local bank for years she knew many people in town and enjoyed seeing all her customers out and about. Her co-workers became great friends with whom she would share many a meal out. Kathleen was the UConn Girls Basketball greatest supporter and loved to see them win. Her cats, Mehrzad, Frank and Eddie gave her great joy. She loved watching the antics of the squirrels and birds making sure they were never hungry. Kathleen was lucky, having won a $500 bond in 1946 when she was 16 and later a car, she was always looking for a church raffle from where to buy a ticket. Kathleen loved lobster dinners, showing her guests the “right” way to eat them. She loved travelling, visiting St Croix many times as well as to England to visit her grandchildren, co-ordinating the trip to take in the Chelsea Flower Show. And of course, she loved her Christmas pins! Kathleen was a very independent lady who loved her friends and family. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Sunday, January 9, 2022, between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, CT 06405.