Bridget Lawlor Mariano

Naugatuck, CT Bridget Lawlor Mariano, 87, wife of Donald Mariano, died peacefully at her home September 9, 2026 with loving family by her side.

Bridget was born and raised in New Haven, CT, the daughter of Irish immigrants. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Southern Connecticut State University, and Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA.

Bridget began her career as an elementary school teacher in San Francisco. Inspired by Vatican II, she then joined the Medical Mission Sisters Convent in Fox Chase, PA, living as a nun for eight years, and forging friendships that would illuminate her entire life. Along with many of her friends and contemporaries, she left the convent in 1970, though she remained a devout Catholic. She worked at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia before she became a mother and moved back home to New Haven. For the next few years, she worked in Pediatrics at the Hospital of St. Raphael, and at the Visiting Nurses Association and Head Start in New Haven. Bridget also worked in the New Haven Public Schools, including Hillhouse and Celentano, where she met her husband, Donald. She ended her career after many years as the beloved school nurse in Litchfield Public Schools, retiring in 2001.

After retirement, Bridget was more active than ever in the civic life of Naugatuck. For many years, she was an instrumental figure at the Naugatuck Historical Society, conducting oral histories with factory workers and eventually serving as President. She also enjoyed working in the Children’s Section of the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library, and participating in the Naugatuck Women’s Study Club.

Bridget always took compassionate care of family, friends, and neighbors, all of whom looked to her when times were difficult. It was important to her to maintain connection with her family in Ireland, and to visit when possible. She was active in movements for social justice and was part of the community that founded St. Vincent Ferrer Church. One of the great joys of her life was becoming a grandmother; she spent the last 13 years of her life caring for and delighting in her only grandchild, the apple of her eye, who adored her in turn.

Bridget had many intellectual interests: she read widely, traveled extensively with her husband and her friends, studied history and genealogy, took classes on a range of subjects, and became a member of the Friends of American Art at Yale University. She formed a book club with lifelong friends that met continually for over 40 years.

In addition to her devoted husband Don, Bridget is survived by Andrea Lawlor, her only child; her daughter-in-law, Bernadine Mellis; her grandson, Shugie Mellis Lawlor; her nieces and nephews, Gretchen McHugh LaPierre, Karen McHugh Quinn, Larry McHugh, Trish Collucci Wysocki, and Gary Collucci; her grand-niece and nephews Erin LaPierre, David LaPierre, and Tommy Quinn; her cousins Ivy O’Hara, Pierce Lawlor, and Hugh Patrick Coyle; and her many cherished friends, including Kathleen Kukowski, and Jeremy Leven and his children, Zoe Leven, Zachary Leven, John Krokidas, Stephanie Krokidas, and Josh Leven. Bridget was predeceased by her parents, Andrew J. Lawlor and Margaret Coyle Lawlor; her sisters, Sr. Margaret (June) Lawlor, O.P., and Patricia Lawlor McHugh; her cousin, Midge Lawlor DiLella; and her beloved friend, Roberta Danza.

Family and friends may gather for quiet contemplation on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10am to 10:30am, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30am, at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Bridget’s memory, donations are requested to the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library, 243 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770. Arrangements are entrusted to the Buckmiller Ford Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck.