It is with deep and abiding sadness that we her family, share the passing of Thurley Ogden Burns (née Thurley Ann Ogden). Thurley, age 90, a 28-year resident of Newtown, became afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, and after a more than 10-year battle succumbed to its complications. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 19, 2025.

Thurley is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Gregory O. Smith and Christine Hernandez of Colorado Springs, Colo., her son Michael F. Smith of Pagosa Springs, Colo., her son and daughter-in-law Peter R. Smith and Kelly Smith of Costa Rica, and her daughter Catherine A. Smith of Shelton, Conn.; along with her two grandsons, Adam O. Smith of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Benjamin G. Smith of Denver, Colo. She is also survived by her only sibling, Kathleen O. Meyers of Redding, Conn., and her cousin Patrice M. Calnen of West Hartford, Conn., as well as other cousins and nephews.

Thurley was a proud “Connecticut Yankee,” born in Norwalk to a long line of Ogdens. She spent her childhood growing up on Golden Hill Street in South Norwalk and graduated from Norwalk High School (Class of 1952), where she was a varsity cheerleader, Honor Society member, and class leader. For many years afterwards she organized class reunions. After graduating NHS, she attended the College of New Rochelle in N.Y. before deciding to marry her high school sweetheart and raise a family of four children. After her divorce, she put herself through Katharine Gibbs secretarial school, earning top grades, and was hired to work at GE headquarters in Fairfield, where she had a successful 19-year career as an executive secretary in Union Relations before retiring to Newtown in 1996.

Thurley led an active, exciting, and adventurous life. She traveled widely from Europe to SE Asia. She connected with people and forged life-long friendships, maintaining a wide circle of friends both from childhood and later life with whom she socialized and traveled. For many years she was a member of The Garden Club of Newtown. She was a masterful floral designer and had a beautiful garden of her own at her home in Newtown. She religiously read The New York Times every day, and she especially enjoyed doing the crossword puzzles while she was still able.

Thurley’s home in Newtown was a sanctuary where the family could always find love, good cheer, and good food, especially at the holidays. The door was always open at grandma’s house, and we all loved being there with her. For all of us, it was heartbreaking to watch her slip away as dementia took her bit by bit. It is a comfort to know she is no longer suffering and is finally at peace.

A private ceremony is planned for the spring at Union Cemetery in Rowayton where she will be laid to rest with her family.