Bring your pets of any shape or size to one (or more!) of the blessings being held throughout Old Lyme on Sunday. This photo shows the Rev. Dr. Anita Louise Schell, Rector of Saint Ann’s, blessing a fluffy pup.
OLD LYME—Several area churches will offer blessings for creatures great and small to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Sunday.
The South Lyme Union Chapel on 308 Mile Creek Road invites all pets – including mammals, reptiles, birds and fish – to its third annual blessing in the historic setting from noon to 1:30 p.m. Pets must be leashed, in a container, or held. Refreshments will be available free of charge.
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Parish at 82 Shore Road will hold its traditional Blessing of the Animals outside the church at 1 p.m. All animals should be leashed or caged.
Christ the King Church, at 1 McCurdy Road, will also host an animal blessing at 1 p.m. in the church parking lot.
St. Francis was born in the 12th century and is the patron saint of ecology and animals.
OLD LYME—Kathryn “Kay” Tubridy of Old Lyme, formerly of Black Point Beach, Niantic, died Aug. 13, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones.
Born Feb. 3, 1942, in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Vincent E. Turley and the late Katharine McCarthy Turley, and the stepdaughter of the late Jane Nagle Turley. Kay was predeceased by her husband … She is survived by her loving children, Robert E. Tubridy of Cromwell; Matthew P. Tubridy and his partner, Miranda Merritt, of Bradenton, Fla.; and Meghan McCulloch and her husband, John J. McCulloch, of Old Lyme. She was a devoted grandmother … Kay is also survived by her brother Vincent E. Turley Jr.; and her sister-in-law C. Francis Barringer. She leaves behind her cherished friends …
… Kay dedicated much of her professional life to real estate … She also served as secretary and treasurer of the Black Point Beach Club Association …
Kay was a devoted member of Christ the King Parish in Old Lyme, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and remained actively involved in church life.
A Funeral Mass and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, with the reception to follow at 3 p.m. You are invited to celebrate Kay’s life by attending the Funeral Mass, joining the family at the reception following the service, or both. Please join them however you are able. A private burial will be held at a later date.
OLD LYME—UPDATE 6/20: The Old Lyme Town Clerk and Selectman’s offices will be closed today, Friday, June 20, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.so that employees can attend Eileen Coffee’s funeral.
The Old Lyme Town Hall administration asks that you plan accordingly and thanks you for your understanding. You can contact either office by phone or email, and your message will be returned. Documents can be left in the drop box outside the main entrance to the Town Hall.
OLD LYME — Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful public servant, Eileen Keating Coffee passed away unexpectedly at home June 13, 2025. A devoted wife, loving mother of five, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a respected public servant, Eileen lived a life full of warmth, faith and quiet strength.
Eileen was born [Feb. 5, 1946] to Lawrence Keating, of Valencia Island, County Kerry, and Bridget “Veronica” Lavelle Keating, of Straide, Mayo County, Ireland …
Raised in New London, Eileen attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and Saint Bernard’s High School. It was at Saint Bernard’s that she met her high school sweetheart, Kenneth W. Coffee. They married and recently celebrated 58 years of love and partnership.
Together, Eileen and Ken raised five children: Kenneth L. (spouse Teresa), Brian M. (spouse Brittany), Elizabeth A. Hutchinson, Edward “Ned” J. and Daniel J. Her pride in her family was immeasurable. She was a loving grandmother … She was a cherished great-grandmother … Eileen is survived by her brother Lawrence Keating and his children: … as well as her sister Mary Keating of Waterford. She is lovingly remembered by her extended Coffee family: Shirley Coffee, John and Sue Coffee, Josephine McCulloch, Hugh and Heike Coffee …
… Later, she served the town of Old Lyme with distinction, first as assistant Town Clerk and then as elected certified Town Clerk for two terms. Her commitment to the town continued as she worked part-time in the clerk’s office up until her passing …
Calling hours will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in Christ the King Parish Hall, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, in the church. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Christ the King Church or to your favorite charity.
EAST LYME — Elizabeth Margaret Brodeur, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on July 20, 1957, to Donald S. and Elizabeth H. (Nancy) Brodeur, Elizabeth, affectionately nicknamed Liz, was the second oldest of ten children. Growing up in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Liz’s early years were rooted in the strength and joy of a large, close-knit family where she often took on a motherly role for her younger siblings.
Elizabeth graduated from Old Lyme High School in 1975, where she was a proud member of the National Honor Society. Her academic drive and spirited energy reflected the determination that would guide her throughout life. She went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where she studied abroad and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Economics. Forever a Husky, Liz looked forward to basketball season, enthusiastically cheering on both men’s and women’s teams.
Elizabeth’s exceptional Catholic faith sustained her, especially in times of personal suffering. She met life’s challenges with courage refusing to let her illnesses define her, she was a passionate advocate for mental health. Her deep spirituality encompassed every aspect of her character, integrity and her commitment to living her life without apology.
Elizabeth dedicated herself to the field of elder care, offering comfort, dignity, and companionship to those in their most vulnerable moments. Her life’s work was a testament to her compassion, patience, and deeply held belief in the value of every human being.
She cherished the simple pleasures of life: an afternoon in the sunshine, a dinner out with a friend or loved one, caring for her beloved cats, or the joy of giving a thoughtful gift chosen with care. Her generosity and attentiveness made those around her feel seen and loved.
In recent years, Elizabeth made her home in East Lyme and New London, where she made a point to connect with those she loved through calls, texts and her signature hand-written cards. She will be remembered as a family treasure, cherished for her personal relationships with each member, her big heart, sense of humor, and the twinkle in her blue eyes.
She is survived by her siblings, Donald Jr. and Karen (Agres), Jonathan and Susan (Andrews), Christopher and Margaret (Randall), Rosemary and Michael Cairns, Eric and Stacie (Skinner), Stephan, Stephanie, Marc and Jennifer (O’Connell), her Uncle Roderic Hartung and her cat Emily. She was predeceased by her brother Timothy and wife Theresa (Sottile), her parents, Donald and Elizabeth Brodeur, her companion of 19 years, Richard Kay, and their beloved cat, Spice Girl. Elizabeth “Aunt Liz” will be deeply missed by her twenty-five nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Friday May 30th from 4-7 pm at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, CT. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday May 31st at 10 am at Christ the King Church. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to NAMI, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203 or online at www.nami.org , to The Foundation for Women’s Cancer 26533 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1286 https://foundationforwomenscancer.org/support-us/ways-to-give/?campaign=646054 or to Forgotten Felines,153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook, CT 06498 or online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.
