Mary Page (Burns) Gallagher Buttinger

Waterford-Mary Page Burns Gallagher Buttinger, 94, passed away September 4, 2021, at the home of her eldest daughter, Maureen M. Gallagher.

        Mary Page was born in Torrington, to the late John H. and Lucy M. (Stockman) Burns, and had been a Torrington resident for many years where she raised her seven children before moving to Waterford in 1986. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle, and she received her M.A. in Sociology from St. Joseph College. Throughout her life, Mary Page was a freelance writer and editor, frequently on medical and dermatological matters, including a monograph series for Yale University.  She also wrote for newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, The Register Citizen and The Day of New London. A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, between 1974 and 1992 she was employed by the State of Connecticut as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  She had served as Committee Secretary with the CT State Legislature for Public Health and Safety and was liaison for the Governor’s Committee for Employment of the Handicapped. Mary Page was a former CT Vice President of the American Medical Writers Association and had been an active member of the Waterford Women’s Club, the Torrington, Morris, Waterford, and Old Saybrook Historical Societies, and the Saybrook Colony Founders Association.  A lifelong swimmer, tennis player, lover of music and theater, especially Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, Mary Page was uniquely peripatetic, including taking an arts and antiques course at Sotheby’s in England and traveling by barge in Belgium.

        Survivors, in addition to her husband, Robert, include seven children, Patrick S. (Linda) Gallagher of New York, NY, Maureen M. Gallagher of Waterford, Kathleen T. (Gary) Bush of Tamworth, NH, Timothy D. Gallagher of Torrington, Meghan M. (Michael) Daigle of Brooklyn, Siobhan E. Gallagher of Belmont, MA, Bridget P. Walker of Concord, MA and her former son-in-law, Philip Walker; nine grandchildren, Matthew P. (Laure) Gallagher, Meredith P. (Randolph) Kennedy, Andrew J. (Kcie) Gallagher, Samuel P. Urban, Nathan E. (Leah) Bush, Devin M. (Beth) Bush, Dillon D. Daigle, and Emma P. and Lily B. Walker; and five great-grandchildren, Jillian P. and Russell E. Kennedy, Elodie S. Gallagher, and Clare E. and Moira P. Bush. She was predeceased by her brother, John H. Burns, Jr., who was killed in WWII.

        Friends may call Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington. Unvaccinated visitors attending calling hours are required to wear a mask. Burial in East Morris Cemetery will be private. 

        In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Morris Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 154, Morris, CT 06763.

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