Barbara Coutts Staley

barbara staley
Barbara Coutts Staley, 76, of Cheshire, died on Tuesday, May, 12 2009 at MidState Medical Center after a short illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Atty. Thomas J. Staley. Mrs. Staley was born in New Haven on Dec. 23, 1932, the daughter of the late George F. Coutts and Esther Andrew Coutts. She was a direct descendent of the Rev. Samuel Andrew who served as President of both Harvard and Yale Universities. She graduated from Hamden High School and New Haven State Teachers College (later Southern Conn. State College) with a degree in Education. Mrs. Staley and her husband of 52 years resided in Cheshire all their married life. She was a teacher at Margaret O'Keefe Elementary School in Hamden and Norton Elementary School in Cheshire and more recently worked at the Cheshire Creative Craft Center. Mrs. Staley was first and foremost a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She supported her family's many activities by being room mother, den mother and cheering them from the stands or audience. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, gardening, feeding the birds, cross-stitching and was an avid reader. She was a member of the Cheshire Junior Women's Club, the Cheshire High School Boosters Club, and the Friends of the Cheshire Library, serving as Secretary from 2008 - present. Family and friends relied on her to be a constant source of compassion, love and understanding. She is survived by her children, Linda L'Ecuyer and her husband Peter of Merrimack, N.H., Sharon Richardson and her husband Terrence of Hopkinton, Mass., Beth Ann Staley of Unionville; her sons Thomas J. (Chip) Staley and his wife Amy of Hingham, Mass., and Peter Staley of Cheshire; her grandchildren, Timothy L'Ecuyer, Aimee and Michael Piccolo, Eric L'Ecuyer, Michael Richardson, Katherine Richardson, Thomas J. Staley III and Andrew Staley; her great-grandchildren Quinten, Isabella and Kaylee Piccolo, and her brother, George F. Coutts Jr. of Wallingford. Funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon in St. Bridget Church, Cheshire. Friends may visit with her family at the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery , Cheshire . In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in her memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., Meriden, CT 06450.

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  1. Barbara….a mother, through and through; true blue friend: dependable, pragmatic and practical. So close to Tom that she couldn’t face life without his Sun to warm her. .May the road rise to meet you…..

  2. Our hearts are so heavy learning of your mom’s death, so close to the passing of your dad. Death of a parent can leave you feeling so many things, sometimes a little like the ground beneath your feet is suddenly so unsteady. But you know that they are really never gone from you and will live in your hearts and in the hearts of their grandchildren and all who loved them, forever. We pray your sorrow will be tempered with gratitude and your grief eventually replaced with memories of all the joy that they brought to their family and the world. Hugs and love, John and Stacie

  3. Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s death. Losing a parent is never easy but this was so quick and so close to your dad’s passing. My love and prayers are with you and Terry and the kids. May all the wonderful memories you have bring you some comfort. With deepest sympathy and love. Jane

  4. To Sharon and family with love and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Anne

  5. To the Staley Family We are so sorry to hear about your Mother. She lived a wonderful life with your Dad and her loving family. Enjoy all those memories. Elaine & John Dufour

  6. To the wonderful Staley family, Our hearts go out to all of you. May you find some measure of peace knowing your parents are together again, continuing that ever lasting love affair. Fondly, Jim and Natalie Ahern

  7. Barbara was always a source of a smile and friendly conversation. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. I’ll miss her at Physical Therapy. Always in my thoughts and prayers.

  8. To the Staley family My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Barbara was an inspiring woman who often expressed her love for her family. I am glad I have had the chance to know her through her weekly exercise group. We will all sadly miss her.

  9. My love and prayers to Linda, Chip, Sharon, Peter and Beth Ann. I am your father’s cousin, Cathy Staley. I was so saddened to hear about your dad. And now his beloved Barbara is with him. I have known your parents since I was a child. When we lost our dad, your parents were wonderful to us. And when my mom got sick, again they were there for her and for us. Tom was a great support to my mom as she struggled with legal affairs. Your dad spent countless hours helping my mom. I will never forget it. Because of his help and the support of your mother, my mom was able to pass on with peace of mind. My parents were especially fond of your mom and dad. There were frequent visits; I don’t know if you remember. Your dad could always make me laugh and Barbara was such a strong and beautiful girl. Her lovely smile and warmth really made a strong impact on me. Each visit, she would seek out some time for us to talk. I loved to listen to her voice. She was caring and honest. I can’t tell you what those talks meant to me. Please know that my thoughts are with you. I was blessed to know your mom and dad. They were two of the kindest people I ever met. God Bless you.

  10. To The Staley Family: I was so sorry to hear about your Mom and Dad.I didn’t ever meet your mom in person but I was your Dads client first in 1979. Then again in 2007. His guidance and support were invaluable during extremely stressfull times of my life. On occasion I had to call their personal residence. Again, under very stressfull moments. Your Mom was always very kind. He always spoke so highlly of her as well. I will greatly miss your Dad but I am grateful for the gift he was in my life at these difficult times. I have a better life today because of his kindness and expertise. They were a kind and loveing team. Sincerely: Gail Stradly Gentile

  11. A beautiful woman, inside and out. Your parents were a great pair and we will miss them both.

  12. Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s death. Losing a parent is never easy but this was so quick and so close to your dad’s passing. My love and prayers are with you and Terry and the kids. May all the wonderful memories you have bring you some comfort. With deepest sympathy and love. Jane


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