Obituary: Mary Kathleen Dingus, 63, Of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — (Contributed): Beloved mother, sister, and friend, Mary Kathleen Dingus, 63, of Hamden, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Feb. 20, 2022, surrounded by love and family.

Mary grew up in Hamden, a town she adored and never left. Mary was born on August 15, 1958, to Edward and Ann Klimczak in New Haven. After graduating from Hamden High School in 1976, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Southern Connecticut State University.

She worked as a preschool teacher for many years and was passionate about her work with children. In 1982, she met Gary, and they wed in 1985, going on to have two children, Jamie and Kevin.

Mary filled her life with joy and laughter. She had a great love of General Hospital and made sure to watch it every day. In the last year of her life, Mary completed her first novel, Colby’s Chalet. Mary also enjoyed painting and other artistic endeavors. Most importantly, Mary deeply loved her family and friends. Mary will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Mary was predeceased by her father Edward, her mother Ann, and her brothers, Edward and Robert. She is survived by her closest friend, Gary, her daughter, Jamie, her son-in-law Shawn, her son, Kevin, her daughter-in-law, Chelsea, her grandchildren, Jaxon and Zander, and her sister, Adriana.

Mary requested a celebration of life be held in her honor rather than traditional funeral services. We request all of Mary’s loved ones to join us in celebrating her beautiful life at Beecher & Bennet Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ML Keefe Community Center of Hamden in Mary’s honor.