Anne M. Balfe

Newtown - Ms. Anne M. Balfe, a resident of Church Hill Village in Newtown, died Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at the VITAS Innovation Hospice Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on April 30, 1930 in Waterbury, daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah (Chatfield) Balfe.

Her love of education and learning as well as her devotion to helping others is evident throughout her lifetime. Anne graduated in 1952 from the Connecticut Teachers College and commenced her lifelong career as an educator at Hopeville Elementary School.

She loved children, and she truly relished sharing with them new worlds through literature as well as the awe and beauty of nature. She maintained an appreciation and a sense of wonder with the world even as an adult, which enabled her to connect so well with the children she taught. She was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Waterbury and volunteered her time and service there even after relocating her residence to Southbury. While living simply, she generously supported countless philanthropic causes throughout many decades whose mission was to make this world a safer, happier and more holy place.

She is survived by nephews Timothy Reilly and Joseph Reilly of Waterbury; her niece Kathy Prieto and her husband Scott of Newtown; and her niece Mary Rodrigues and her husband Paul of Wolcott. She was predeceased by her sister Irene Smith and her husband Joe as well as her sister Jane Reilly and her husband Eugene. She leaves behind three great-nieces and a great-nephew – Kathryn and Kerianne Rodrigues of Wolcott and Nicholas and Caleigh Prieto of Newtown – on whom she tirelessly doted.

Anne always had a smile and a kind word for everyone, and she lived a life which exemplified her Catholic faith by helping those in need. She appreciated good books, the beauty of the outdoors, the sport of tennis, and a solid game of basketball played by the UConn Huskies; but mostly she appreciated the people in her life. She brought a glass-half- full outlook to her experiences and maintained a sharp wit and a strong faith even in the most difficult times. With a kind heart and generous spirit, she offered a “bless you” to everyone who shared their time with her.

The family would like to thank Always Best Care of Western CT, specifically Swee Kaiser, who attended to Anne’s needs over the past year. They shared a special bond, and Swee’s devotion to Anne was truly a blessing for both Anne and the family.

Due to the pandemic, a memorial mass will be held at St. Francis Parish on Friday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be held on Friday, April 30 at 12:00 P.M. at New Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.

Contributions may be made in Anne’s memory to: St. Francis Xavier Church, 625 Baldwin St., Waterbury, CT 06706