Lenore Pedersen Macauley
Lenore Pedersen Macauley passed away peacefully at the Whitney Center in Hamden, CT on June 5, 2012 at the age of 92 years. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur P. Macauley. Born on July 27, 1919 in Hamden, Lenore was a daughter of the late Jens Reinhold Pedersen and Lillian James Pedersen and the sister of the late Lillian Pedersen Klaus. Lenore was raised and educated in the Whitneyville section of Hamden. She was a member of the first graduating class of Hamden High School in 1936. She received her Bachelor of Education from the New Haven State Teacher's College in 1940. Later she earned the Masters of Arts with the cooperative program of Southern Connecticut and the Department of Education of Yale University. In 1962 she completed her sixth year of study in Speech and Hearing at Southern CT State University. Lenore was a beloved Kindergarten teacher at the former Putnam Avenue School in Hamden for 22 years. After she attained her sixth year certificate in 1962, she became the first Speech and Hearing Clinician in the Hamden public schools which continued up until her retirement in 1976. Mrs. Macauley was a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also a devoted lifetime parishioner of the Whitneyville United Church of Christ. She loved children, music, bridge, golf and life itself. Mrs. Macauley is survived by her stepchildren Brian (Barbara Deegan) Macauley of Clinton, CT, Arthur (Helen Goekler) Macauley of Westerly, RI and Patricia Macauley (Hans) Bode of Newport Beach, CA. She also leaves a nephew, Robert R. (Mary Dyer) Parker of Ashford, CT, 8 step-grandchildren, 13 step-great-grandchildren as well as a great niece and nephew. A memorial service to celebrate Lenore's life will be held at the Whitneyville United Church of Christ, 1253 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, on Monday, June 11th at 11AM. Her burial will be private at the Whitneyville Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whitneyville United Church of Christ.
To Lenore’s Family, I am one of the many Macauley cousins. When Lenore married Uncle Art, she brought so much love to him and our whole family. I remember her kindness to my mother, who in her eighties started to isolate herself, dropping out of bridge clubs and showing signs of loneliness. Lenore was the one friend who never gave up on her and accepted her unconditionally. I have arranged for a Mass to be said at my church at the Mission San Rafael in San Rafael, California. It will be August 27, 2012. Brian Macauley will receive the official Mass card in the mail. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Peigin Barrett
Although I only knew Lenore for a short part of her life I will always remember the dignity, integrity, grace and class with which she carried herself. You lived a long and full life Lenore. We will miss you and will always love you. Love Daryl and Michelle Parker
Lenore was a wonderful person, and we will all miss her warmth and enthusiasm. Every time that we saw her, she mentioned her appreciation for how much you and Barbara and the rest of the family did for her. The draft obituary is wonderful. It captures both her spirit and her amazing accomplishments — many of which I had been unaware of. I am sorry that distance precludes our attending the memorial service. With sympathy, Bob and Sue
Miss Pedersen was my kindergarten teacher, Class of 1945. In 2007 eight members of that class met with Miss Pedersen. We went to our original Kindergarten classroom at Putnam Avenue Grammar School and spent time reminiscing with her. In the words of Jane Heil, one of the members of our class, .She is 88 years old and as straight and tall as she was sixty-two years ago when she was our kind, gentle kindergarten teacher! She is cheerful, upbeat, and enthusiastic. She works out every morning. She was very excited about our little reunion. We then went to the Playwright for lunch where Miss Pedersen told us all about her teaching career after the Kindergarten Class of 1945 graduated. It was a memorable day, one the eight of us and Miss Pedersen will never forget. We will never forget you, Miss Pedersen.
Thank you for sending Aunt Lenore’s information. She was a beautiful intelligent lady who we all were privileged to know. Best regards to and your family. Cousin Jack
We just learned of Lenore’s passing and we wanted to share our condolences. We know you both must be heartbroken. Lenore was a gift to all who knew her, and we will always remember her optimism, grace and love of life. She was a role model in so many ways. Please know our hearts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. Love, Kathy and Bill
Aunt Lenore was a wonderful lady who gave so much to everyone! Prayers and Hugs to her immediate family in your time of loss. Have such fond memories of her year over year while visiting Grandma Mary and Grandpa Walt. Her compassion and patience for youth was so obvious, the hours she spent teaching us so many games and valuable lessons.