Hamden Death Notices: Feb. 13 Through Feb. 26, 2026

HAMDEN, CT — Below are recent death notices from Hamden.

John William Smith, 64, died Feb. 13, 2026. He worked for the Hamden Board of Education, Stop & Shop (Amity), the Connecticut Judicial Department and Yale University before retiring early, and who was an avid walker covering about five miles daily and served for a decade as caretaker to his youngest sister with disabilities.

William “Bill” Gibson, 86, died Feb. 14, 2026. He was a retired police sergeant and 36-year veteran of the Hamden Police Department who helped implement the town’s modern 911 emergency communications system and enjoyed woodworking, sports, trains, and a good steak.

Patrick Joseph Kearney, 63, died Feb. 14, 2026. A licensed drug and alcohol counselor who worked at Gaylord Hospital, Griffin Hospital and North Haven Community Services before serving as a clinical care manager for Advanced Behavioral Health and Beacon Health Options and later as a case manager for Elevance Health, he enjoyed traveling to Cape Cod, visiting state and national parks, and supporting his sons’ activities including Cub Scouts, baseball, and Taekwondo.

Debra M. O’Leary, 62, died Feb. 18, 2026. She worked more than 30 years for the family business The MacDonald Companies and enjoyed time at the beach in Madison and the lake in Holland, Mass.

Gloria Guarino Cardillo, 95, died Feb. 18, 2026. She was a librarian who earned a degree in library science from New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State University) and enjoyed traveling across the United States and Europe, attending ballet, theater and opera, hosting gatherings, and practicing photography later in life.

Gertrude Williams Burrell, 91, died Feb. 22, 2026. A registered nurse who worked for decades at St. Raphael’s Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital, Arden House and Whitney Manor before later training nurses in the LPN and CNA program at Eli Whitney Technical School, she enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events as a devoted fan.

Janice Marie Dell (Van der Maelen), 79, died Feb. 24, 2026. She was a licensed nurse who earned her degree from the Yale School of Nursing in 1968 and worked as a neonatal nurse at Yale Hospital before later working at Miller Memorial Library while also supporting veterans’ causes, charitable organizations, and blood donation efforts.

Mary Eleanor Conway La Croix, 88, died Feb. 26, 2026. She was a medical secretary who worked for Dr. William Kaufman and Dr. Khu, later for the State of Israel Bonds, and for a decade in the admitting office at Saint Raphael’s Hospital, and was an active and devoted member of Saint Paul VI Parish in Hamden.