Obituary: ​Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Quinn Klarman of Branford

Information and photo via W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Quinn Klarman of Branford died Tuesday October 23, 2018 at Connecticut Hospice. Beloved wife of 57 years to the late Stuart T. Klarman, Betsy was born May 9, 1937 in New Haven, a daughter of the late John C. and Elizabeth “Betty” Sykes Quinn. A lifelong resident of Branford, she was a graduate of Branford High School, Class of 1955 and the University of Connecticut, Class of 1959. Before assuming her real job as wife and mother, she taught English at Branford High School.

After raising her family, Betsy co-founded the Branford Soup Cellar, which began serving one hot meal a week to those in need in 1985. In 2000 the Branford Soup Cellar evolved into the Branford Community Dining Room, which now serves hot meals to the hungry 365 days a year. In addition, Betsy instituted the Home Delivery Program which delivers meals to the homebound. She was a member and past president of the Friends of the Blackstone Library.

She was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary Church, where she also taught CCD. Betsy is survived by her loving children, Karen M. (Chuck) Williams. Jeffrey S. (Lexie) Klarman, Kristine N. Klarman, Callista A. (Scott) Stoddard and John P. (Leslie) Klarman, all of Branford; her grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica Styles, Scotty and Jeff Stoddard, and Andrew, Kimberly, Erica and Molly Klarman; and her great granddaughter Hayden.

She is also survived by her brother Robert C. (Priscilla) Quinn of Wethersfield, her sister Susan (Mike) Klimas of Branford, her sister-in-law Elaine Klarman of Branford, her brother-in-law Mike Klarman of Branford, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, Alexander M. Klarman.

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday morning at 10:00 in St. Mary Church. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Friday evening from 4:00 - 8:00 at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford.Memorial donations may be sent to the Branford Community Dining Room Home Delivery Program, 30 Harrison Avenue, Branford, CT 06405.To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Mary Elizabeth Klarman, please visit our Tribute Store.