Helen Dillon Gray

Helen Julia Dillon Gray, 96, of West Hartford, beloved wife of the late Wilbur Matthew Gray, passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 4th, 1917, to the late James J. Dillon, Sr. and Kathryn Hayden Dillon and raised in Windsor, CT, where her father owned Dillon’s Market. She graduated from John Fitch High School and Boston University College of Practical Arts and Letters in 1937. Following graduation, Helen was employed by the State of CT Labor Department/Unemployment Compensation Division and then by the Department of Finance & Control where she was secretary to State Budget Director Robert H. Weir for thirteen years. She left this position to raise her family in West Hartford. She returned to work in 1973 at the State Board of Trustees for Regional Community Colleges where she had the good fortune of being the administrative assistant to Jack Foley, the Executive Director’s Legal Counsel for Personnel & Contract Services, until her retirement in 1980. She also worked as a paraprofessional at the University of Connecticut Law School. Helen was proud of her volunteer service in the Windsor Red Cross Motor Corps during World War II. She was a longtime member of the Saint Thomas Apostle Mother’s Circle, the Women’s Auxiliary of Saint Francis Hospital, the Saint Thomas Women’s Club and the Guild of Saint Agnes. She enjoyed summers with her family at Highland Lake in Winsted, Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme and Kezar Lake in Lovell, Maine. Helen is survived by her five children: Susan Kathryn Gray of West Hartford; Janet Gray Connelly and her husband John of Medfield, MA; Virginia Anne Gray of West Hartford; Steven Dillon Gray of Glastonbury; Lisabeth Gray Bender and her husband Steve of Sherborn, MA. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: John Thomas Connelly, Maura Dillon Connelly, Bridget Ellen Connelly and Matthew Gray Connelly of Medfield, MA; Halley Anne Gray of Wellington, New Zealand; and, Dillon Christopher Gray of Glastonbury. She also leaves her beloved sister Virginia Dillon Emmerson of Windsor, CT, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. In addition to her husband and parents, Helen was pre-deceased by her brother James J. Dillon, Jr. of Windsor, CT. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 4th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, with a Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s name may be made to Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Saint Thomas the Apostle School or an organization of the donor’s choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.