In Memory of

Mary

Lou

Daley

Obituary for Mary Lou Daley

Mary Lou (Colby) Daley passed away peacefully at home in Simsbury on Friday, November 15th surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Edwin T. and Ruth Mary Colby who have predeceased her. Mary Lou was born on June 5, 1943 in Springfield, MA., and relocated to the Tariffville section of Simsbury when she was twelve years old. After graduating from Lasell Junior College, Auburndale, MA and Tufts University, Medford, MA, she taught kindergarten in the Simsbury Public School system. In 1966 she married Lt. Victor N. Daley, and began a 52 year marriage she would describe as “a too short walk with my best friend…” Her husband died in 2018.

An incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Mary Lou loved her family without reservation and was proud of them everyday of their lives. She raised three sons and taught them the values she held dear: honesty, integrity, loyalty, hard work and generosity. Nothing pleased her more than spending time with her favorite people…those who called her Nana.

A consummate education professional, Mary Lou taught kindergarten and first grade with grace, excellence and enthusiasm. Teaching was her vocation, and she was never happier than when she was in her classroom. While living in Iowa, she was on the Board of Directors of the Downtown School in Des Moines. In that role, she was interviewed and quoted in “The Disney Way,” a research book which highlighted innovative organizations from a diverse cross-section of disciplines that used Disney-like techniques to attain excellence.

Probably the single attribute that set Mary Lou apart from others was her capacity to give of herself. Never one to want attention or recognition, she quietly and effectively gave to individuals, institutions, and charities. Not waiting to be solicited, if she saw a need she would quietly jump in with thoughtful concern and meaningful contributions to change the human condition.

She is survived by: her son Patrick and wife Kathryn and their children Cooper, Joshua and Anna of Summit, NJ; her son Kevin and wife Tracey and their children Caroline, Colby and Carter of Manhattan Beach, CA, and her son Christopher and wife Amy and their girls, Abigail and Mary of Cumberland, R.I. Mary Lou’s brother Glenn and his wife Christy as well as her nieces also survive her passing.

A wake will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Wednesday, November 20th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral will be Thursday, November 21st, 9:15 AM from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St Mary’s Church in Simsbury, followed by interment in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to “The Campus Connection” at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT. Please visit Mary Lou’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhoe.com for online tributes.