Ann McCleery

June 8, 1938 - July 15, 2017

ANN “NANCY” O’CONNOR McCLEERY Ann “Nancy’ O’Connor McCleery of North Haven, CT, passed away peacefully at Connecticut Hospice in Branford on July 15, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Nancy, as she was known by her family and friends, was born on June 8, 1938 in New Haven to the late Michael F. and Mary G. O'Connor. The youngest of eight children, Nancy is survived by her brothers Ralph J. and Michael R. O’Connor and her sister Marian R. Glarum; and she is predeceased by her brother Walter F. O’Connor, her brother John J. O’Connor and his wife, Rosemary, her brother Francis X. O’Connor and his wife, Arlene, and her brother, James V. O’Connor. She is survived by her beloved husband, Raymond E. Cestar, Jr. Nancy was the devoted mother of three sons, Christopher K. Downs of New Haven, Michael D. McCleery and his wife Jennifer of North Haven, and Matthew W. McCleery and his wife Elizabeth of Guilford. She is also survived by her eight beloved grandchildren, Lancy R. and Michael “Nicky” Downs; William T, Spencer R, and Nathaniel H. McCleery; and Rufus S, Homer M, and Murphy B McCleery. An aunt to over thirty nieces and nephews, Nancy is also predeceased by her nephews William J, Francis X, and Lawrence O’Connor. A career educator who graduated with a BA from Vassar College and an MAT from Yale University, Nancy began her teaching career at Cheshire High School before moving to James Hillhouse High School where she taught English for several years during the Vietnam era. It was during this period when Nancy also began teaching night classes at Southern Connecticut State University. A dedicated teacher who loved her students, Nancy was a life-long student herself, earning a second master’s degree mid-career from Wesleyan University, studying at Oxford University in the summer and auditing numerous classes at Yale. Nancy taught courses in American and British Literature and English Composition. During her 35 year career at SCSU, Nancy achieved tenure, retiring at the rank of Associate Professor of English. Towards the latter years of her career, Nancy found tremendous pleasure in mentoring future high school teachers both in the classroom and as a student teacher supervisor. During this period, Nancy designed an innovative graduate level course entitled “Teaching the Novel in the High School” - marking one of her most satisfying professional experiences. Though she loved teaching, Nancy considered raising and educating her three sons to be her most gratifying life’s work. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, and Nancy took delight in attending their numerous sporting events, music recitals, and family parties of all kinds. Nana’s door was always open for a visit. Ever the intrepid traveller, Nancy, usually in the company of her sister Marian, ventured on numerous trips to Ireland, England, France, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. In retirement, Nancy continued to teach, serving as a docent at the Yale Center for British Art for 25 years. She enjoyed the friendships she cultivated through the YUWO and her book group, always happy to join for a lunch out or a trip to New York City. Nancy was an avid reader, frequent movie-goer, and loved attending the theater. In lieu of flowers, Nancy asked that friends and family donate to support the work at Saint Martin de Porres Academy of New Haven - www.saintmatinacademy.org. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday July 18th at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home located at 3105 Whitney Avenue, Hamden CT. Funeral services will be held on July 19th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church located at 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden CT. Nancy will be laid to rest at St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Ave, West Haven, CT.