M. Therese (O'Riley) Scully

   M. Therese Scully, 87, of Milford, CT, and formerly of Clayton and Zephyrhills, FL, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024, in Connecticut.

   Therese was born in Watertown on September 29, 1936, to William E. and Mabel M. (Corbett) O'Riley. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 1954, followed by the Watertown School of Commerce. On August 16, 1958, she married Gerald W. Scully at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, with Fr. Francour officiating. They shared a loving marriage until Gerald’s passing on March 3, 2015.

   Therese had a fulfilling career, working as a secretary at NY Airbrake and later at Purcell Engineering in Connecticut. Her faith was an important part of her life; she was a former communicant of St. Mary's Church in Clayton and St. Agnes Church in Milford.

   A woman of many talents and passions, Therese found joy in music and community. As a dedicated Female Barbershopper, she was an active member of the Sweet Adelines, singing in choruses and quartets everywhere she has lived. Her love for music was a reflection of her vibrant spirit and love for bringing people together. She also had a lifelong passion for sports. In her youth, she was a member of the Watertown Recreation Swim Club and served as a lifeguard at local pools in the 1950s. Later in life, she enjoyed country and western music and was an enthusiastic line dancer.

   Therese is survived by her three sons, Michael J. of Rockford, IL; Daniel P. and wife Jeanne of Wallingford, CT; and Gerald E. and wife Sharyn of Shelton, CT; her daughter, Sandra G. Barna of West Haven, CT; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Along with her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her four brothers, William E., Richard D., Neal J., and Bernard F. O'Riley, and her two sisters, Grace E. Noble and Sharon R. Johnson.

   A mass and memorial will be held in Milford on October 26th at 11am at St. Agnes Church.

   Her funeral mass at St. Mary's Church, Clayton will be celebrated on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

   Arrangements are entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. Online condolences may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Therese’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758525, Topeka, KS 66675-8525.

   Therese will be remembered for her warmth, love of life, and the joy she brought to those around her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, music, and a life well-lived.

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