Elizabeth Walsh

Elizabeth “Betty” Walsh, 79, of Fairfield, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away Friday surrounded by her beloved husband, son and daughters. Betty’s courageous battle ended in the warm comfort of her home of 51 years. Our hearts are broken, but also full of the love she had for us and everyone. Words cannot express what she was to our family and the joy and spirit she brought to life in general. Happiest helping others to be happy.

Betty was born June 27, 1942 to Alexander Kluchnick and Mary Hyland Kluchnick. She was the eldest of three with brothers John and Peter. She lost her father when 8 years old and life changed as she stepped into taking care of them and the household as her mother worked. She never stopped taking care of people for 70 years, she cherished doing it.

Betty graduated from Staples high school in 1960, working at Food Fair in Westport where she met the love of her life, Ken. They were married in September of 1963. Ken was in the Navy and Betty finished hairdressing school and they moved to Newport RI as Ken was then a Corpsman in the Navy. She so loved their time there and her son Kenneth, Jr. was born at the Naval Hospital for only seven dollars!! They eventually settled in Fairfield Ct where she had her two daughters, Christine and Kerri.

Betty loved being a mother, homemaker and wife, but most of all a grandmother. Always involved with school PTA and volunteering wherever she was needed. She eventually became a proud member of the Fairfield Womens Club. She was made VP and ultimately  President of this wonderful association, forging friendships that lasted a lifetime and involved in various charity events, most notably the Town Hall Green Annual Craft Fair on the Saturday before Mothers Day every year. Anyone blessed to know her found an energetic, funny and charming woman that genuinely cared for others and relished living life to the fullest. She loved taking walks and found immense beauty in nature, music and people. Her and Ken had many travel adventures, cruises with dear friends, enjoying entertainment and great food.

She cherished her 3 grandchildren, all of her animals, her garden and her dancing. Introduced by a friend to Fred Astaire dance studios in her 50’s, she became an accomplished ballroom dancer with the help of her devoted instructor Henry. It brought her such joy, with the exercise, beautiful music and meeting wonderful friends who shared her passion for dance as well as winning many competitions along the way, her joy radiated on the dance floor.

Betty was truly one in a million with her infectious smile, enthusiasm, warm heart, unwavering devotion, and unconditional love that will be immensely missed.

She is survived by her loving husband Ken of 58 years, son Ken Walsh Jr. (wife Dawn) of Shelton, daughters Christine Walsh of Seattle Wa. and Kerri Walsh of Fairfield. Brothers John and Peter Kluchnick, her cherished grandchildren, Kenneth III, Steven and Lauren. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins including her many friends and also her animals that will miss her.

Betty was pre-deceased by her father Alexander Kluchnick, mother Mary Diamico, stepfather Anthony Diamico, numerous uncles and aunts on both her Hyland and Kluchnick sides, cousins and in-laws Susan Kopp, Jane Keehan and Sharon Kluchnick.

There is a celebration reunion in Heaven for certain and we all have another Angel looking over us!!!

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday May 12 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption church, 591 Stratfield Rd., Fairfield, inurnment will follow at Lawncroft Cemetery. Friends and family may visit on Wednesday from 4-7 PM at the Spear Miller Funeral Home, 39 S. Benson Rd., Fairfield. Leave an online condolence at www.spearfuneralhome.com