Marie Sperry Surprise
Marie Sperry Surprise, age 90, of Hamden, formerly a long time resident of Bethany, and loving wife to the late Earle J. Surprise, passed away on March 14, 2018 at CT Hospice Branford. She was born in New Haven on September 6, 1927 to the late George and Katherine Dunn Sperry. Marie is survived by her children Patricia Brodka (Walter), Robert Surprise (Debra), and Ellen D’Agostino (Andrew). She also leaves her grandchildren Marlene, Emily, and Karl Brodka (Kathryn), Jeffrey (Sarah), Kevin (Meghan), and Lisa Surprise, Mary Ellen Heilman (David), Andrew D’Agostino, and four great grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her brothers George, John, and Robert Sperry. After graduating from West Haven High School, she went to work at the Yale University Library. She then moved to Bethany with her husband Earle and after raising her three children, went to work for the Bethany Board of Education as Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools for many years until her retirement. In her free time she was a member of the Orange Blossom Tap Dancers, enjoyed square dancing, reading, and traveling. Above all else she loved and cherished her family whom will all deeply miss her. Funeral from Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, Hamden Saturday, March 17 at 11am for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:30am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Friends may visit with Marie’s family from 9-11am. Interment will be held in Carrington Cemetery, Bethany. In lieu of flowers donations in Marie’s name may be made to CT Hospice, Branford. The family would like to thank LaMae of Charisma Homecare and the staff at CT Hospice for their loving attention.
Dear Bob, Debby and family: So sorry about the loss of your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
To Marie’s family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom/grandmother. She was such an elegant lady and oh, how I appreciated and treasured her advice and help as a new principal of Bethany Community School back in the late 80’s. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Marie was a real .class. act.
So sorry to hear of Marie’s passing. I baby sat for her children for several years in the late .50’s and early 60’s. She and Earle were wonderful people and especially kind to me. I enjoyed baby sitting for them and it was easy since I lived right down the road from them on Northrup Road. I will always remember them as the kindest people I’ve ever met.