Elizabeth Durkee

CHESHIRE - Betsy Durkee, 58, passed away December 26, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital.

A lifelong Cheshire resident, Betsy was active in community affairs serving as a past President of the Cheshire Woman Jaycees. Her love of singing was on display weekly with the St. Bridget Choir and Folk group as well as the Cheshire Community Choir. Betsy also served on the St. Bridget Ladies Guild and taught catechism for many years at the church.

A beloved wife, mother, sister, relative, friend and educator, lived an extraordinary life dedicated to family, friends and community service. Betsy graduated from the University of Connecticut at Storrs with a BA and Masters in Education. A teacher at Laurel Ledge Elementary School in Beacon Falls for 35 years, Mrs. Durkee was voted Teacher of the Year for Region 16 School District.

Besty was married to her life partner and best friend, Mr. Steven Durkee, for 35 wonderful years. The couple's son, Michael, is a Cheshire Police Officer who recently married Melissa (Bowman) Durkee. Mrs. Durkee is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law William and Elizabeth Shea of San Francisco, CA and Edward and Cathy Shea of Apex, NC; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Florence and Carl Telecsan of SC; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Lori Wilson of VA, Cathy and Larry Gauthier of SC and Scott Durkee of Meriden. Mrs. Durkee was the loving aunt of 16 nieces and nephews and was predeceased by her parents Jean and William Shea as well as her father-in-law Thomas Durkee.

Arrangements - Funeral services will be held on Friday December 30, 2011, 10:15 from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire 615 S. Main St. to St. Bridget Church for Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the 'Elizabeth Durkee Scholarship Fund' Region 16 EA, at Laurel Ledge Elementary School, 30 Highland Ave, Beacon Falls, CT 06403.