Mary Elizabeth Reilly, 93, formerly of Stamford, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2017 in Simsbury, where she has resided since 2009. Betty, as she was known, was born June 22, 1924 in New Haven, daughter of Charles and Mildred McElroy.
She is survived by her husband, Melvin J. Reilly of Simsbury, daughters Linda Reilly of Cheshire, Betsy Roberts and her husband Thomas of Vienna, Virginia; sons Bradford Reilly and his wife Eileen of Cheshire, Timothy Reilly and his wife Dawn of Prospect, Stephen Reilly and his wife Meg of Canton, Robert Reilly and his wife Andrea of Stamford; thirteen grandchildren, Richard DePaulis and wife Maureen, Dawn Boykin, Christopher Reilly and Kevin Reilly, Elizabeth Reilly and Sarah Reilly, Emma Roberts and Justin Roberts, Sean Reilly, Katherine Reilly and Brendan Reilly, Peyton Reilly and Julia Reilly, and five great-grandchildren, Jessica Boykin and Jeremy Boykin, Michelle DePaulis, Christina DePaulis and Allison DePaulis. Betty was predeceased by her daughter Sharon, grandson James DePaulis and sister Joan Horton.
Betty was a graduate of Stamford High School’s class of 1942. The prom queen went off to the University of Connecticut, as her boyfriend Mel went on to proudly serve with the Marines during World War II. Betty graduated with a degree in social work. While her pride and joy was her family, prior to her married life, Betty set records unknown to few today. As captain of the UConn Archery team, she became the first Connecticut Women’s Indoor Archery Champion on April 28th, 1946 with a score of 680 in the small target class of 30 yards. Her score matched the highest score by a man at the same tournament. And the state dominance was not to be the end of her accomplishments with bow and arrow. Betty Reilly went on to earn the NCAA national title for the same 30-yard class.
After giving birth to identical twin daughters on the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, the family then moved to Stamford where they raised their seven children, attending St. Leo’s Church as dedicated parishioners. Married for seventy-one years, Betty and Mel’s home was the center of all neighborhood and family celebrations.
The family wants to extend its sincere thanks to the incredible staff at McLean Health Center for their professional, compassionate care and love shown to Betty these past eight years. With her warm smile and outgoing personality, each day Betty warmed the hearts of the most incredible team of caregivers imaginable.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 28th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home located at 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simbury. The funeral will be held Saturday, July 29th at 9:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church located at 256 Stratton Brook Road in Simsbury. Burial will immediately follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s name may be made to McLean Health Center, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. For online expression of sympathy to the family please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com