Eileen Vanasse

NAUGATUCK- Mrs. Eileen (Whelan) Vanasse, 85, of 233 Conrad St., Naugatuck, died Sunday Feb. 8, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. She was the widow of John V. Vanasse who died in 2004 after 56 years of marriage. Mrs. Vanasse was born in Waterbury, July 5, 1923, a daughter of the late John and Catherine (Hurley) Whelan and had been a Naugatuck resident for the past 51 years, moving here from Waterbury. She was educated in the Waterbury school system and was a graduate of Wilby High School. She was a communicant of S. Francis of Assisi Church and a member of the Women's Study Club of Naugatuck. Along with her late husband, she was an avid Bridge player and a member of the Women's Bridge Group. She was formerly active in the Catholic Church Pre-Cana program, a former member of the St. Francis Parents Club, a former member of the Naugatuck Women's Club and at one time had been active with the former "Foot Lighters" Theater group here in Naugatuck. She leaves two daughters, Maryann Vanasse Comtois and her husband Gerry of Southington and Eileen Finer and her husband Michael of Thomaston; 3 grandchildren, Gary Pelletier and his wife Lauren, Eric Pelletier and his wife Kate, and Michael Finer; and 1 great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Pelletier. Her funeral will be held on Thursday Feb. 12th at 10:15 a.m. from the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery, Cross St. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 11th from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Francis School Foundation, P.O. Box 292, Naugatuck, 06770-0292.