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Wanda Haney died peacefully at her home of 66 years in Essex on Sept. 16, with her family by her side. Born to Sophie and Peter Wollock in 1924, she was the youngest of seven children. She lived on Warsaw Street until she met the love of her life Thomas Haney. Wanda and Tom were married during the war. When Tom returned from the war they moved to Texas where they lived briefly. They returned to Connecticut at Wanda’s urging (she was homesick) and built a home in Essex where they both lived out their lives.

Wanda attended Deep River High School. Later she worked at Cramers and during the war she proudly served her country assembling military aircraft gliders for the war effort at Pratt, Read and Co. in Deep River during a special program.

Wanda was a devoted wife and mother and gave selflessly to her family and friends. It was never too late or too early for her to whip up breakfast, lunch, or dinner or a snack to anyone who stopped by. You did not leave Wanda’s house hungry!

Wanda was a jack of all trades and would tackle any task large or small with a “can do” attitude.

She was a great cook. Her cakes and cookies were delicious, but her PIES were unbeatable. Once you had Wanda’s pies, you didn’t bother eating them anywhere else—you knew you would be disappointed. She was a seamstress, often hemming clothing for friends who could not sew. Everyone she knew who had a baby come into their family received a Raggedy Ann or Andy Doll that she had made.

She mowed the lawn, raked the leaves, worked in the garden, and worked for her oldest brother Stanley doing his billing and operating the scale house for his sand and gravel business. She did the laundry for the business and purchased his work clothes from Harry Breigtman’s Store on Main Street in Essex. Stanley came to her house every day Monday through Saturday for lunch that she had ready each day at noon sharp.

Wanda worked tirelessly her entire life caring and doing for others.

She was a longtime member of the Ladies Group at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Along with her dear friends Armida Calamari and Florence Dutka and the other ladies in the group, they organized and annual giant rummage sale. Each member also contributed home baked goods and sandwiches that were sold during the sale. All proceeds were donated to the church. They worked for weeks on the sale. They held monthly card parties and Wanda made a Raggedy Ann Doll and sometimes an Andy, too, and a pinecone wreath for raffle items. They also organize an annual breakfast for the children of the church on the Sunday of their First Holy Communion. It was a special event.

One of my favorite amusing memories was when I stopped by on a blistering hot day to find my mother alongside her brother Charles on the roof of the house re-shingling it. Not one to shy away from hard work, she could do just about anything.

She truly was a one of a kind. Her son-in-law Dennis often said of her, “Wanda has your back.” No matter what, she was in your corner.

Wanda was predeceased by her husband Tom in 2011 and never got over his passing. She is with him again at last. She is survived by her three children, Tom Haney, Jr. (Nancy) of Essex, Gary Haney of Deep River, and daughter Susan Robida (Dennis) of Essex and multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 at Our Lady of Sorrows/St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 14 Prospect Street in Essex followed by a reception at the Lace Factory, 161 River Street Deep River.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Vickie Silvia for the rehabilitation of injured songbirds at 23 Whippoorwill Road, Old Lyme CT 06371.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the nurses and PT and OT staff of Kindred Health Care and to Nerissa’s Home Care for their dedication, kindness and wonderful care they all gave our mom.

To share a memory of Wanda or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.