Jeannette K. Finnegan

Active Volunteer

Jeannette K. Finnegan, 86, of Danbury, and formerly of Stamford, died October 26, at Glen Hill Harborside Nursing and Rehab Center, Danbury. She was the wife of the late Ernest T. Finnegan, Sr.

She was born in New Haven, August 4, 1920, a daughter of Walter and Eva Passarine Kling. She graduated from Hamden High School in 1938.

Mrs Finnegan is survived by her children, Jeanne Braude-Magi and her husband, Ed, of Newtown, Pamela Finnegan-Near and her husband, Tom, of Warrensburg, N.Y., Robert Braude and his wife, Neri, of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Ernest Finnegan, Jr, and his wife, Pat, of Sarasota, Fla.; ten grandchildren; two granddogs; 13 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her beloved caregiver Assanatu Iddrissa. Her sister, Arlene Beebe, predeceased her.

She was a theater actress in the New Haven area in the 1930s to early 1950s. Many of her performances were held at Yale University. She volunteered with the Red Cross during World War II and learned how to fly in the early 1940s from her first husband, the late Colonel Lincoln H. Braude.

Mrs Finnegan was director of volunteers from 1976 to 1991 at St Joseph’s Hospital, Stamford, and was a member of its auxiliary from 1960 to 1976, serving as president and vice president for several terms. She volunteered and organized the equestrian events at New Canaan Mounted Troop during the 1970s. She also worked at Pratt & Whitney, and was a dental assistant for many years in Branford. She spent much of her time volunteering at Grace New Haven Hospital, which is now known as Yale New Haven Hospital.

She loved to travel, especially her winters spent in Florida. Her favorite place was vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine. She was an avid reader and animal lover.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Bethel, Friday, November 10, at 10 am.

The family would like to thank Dr Osnoss, Connecticut Nursing Services, 9 East at Danbury Hospital, and Glen Hill Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to Mrs Finnegan.

Donations may be made in her name to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, Inc, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810.

The Newtown Bee     November 10, 2006