Corrine Conroy (aka Aunt Queenie or the Queen Bee), of Derby, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024 at the age of 95 in the care of Griffin Hospital, just around the corner from where she spent her life. Queenie was born in 1929 to Catherine and Michael Conroy. She was one of five children, predeceased by her brothers John, Michael and William. She is survived by her sister Margaret (Peggy) and her husband William Duggan. In addition to her sister, Queenie had several nieces and nephews, including her God Son Joe and his wife Carol, her nephew Bill and his wife Karen, her nephew Pat and his wife Karen, and her nieces Eileen and Maureen. Maureen was especially helpful in helping Queenie and the family navigate the last few months of her life. She is also survived by her nieces Barbara Joan O’Neil (her God Daughter) and Kathy (Conroy) Langit and her cousins Richard Supp, James Supp and Grace Billings, Mary Kate Yourwith, Ann Grace (Jim) and Josephine Wright.
Queenie spent most of her life helping others, starting as a nurse at Griffin Hospital and St. Raphael’s in New Haven before moving on to become the Director of Nursing at United Methodist Convalescent Home in Shelton. Throughout her life, however, she was always the unofficial nurse of the neighborhood and her family, helping anyone who had health concerns, from high temperatures to blood pressure checks.
Queenie was an accomplished musician, especially playing the piano at family gatherings, along with being skilled at the clarinet, saxophone and guitar. She displayed those skills at neighborhood block parties during the 1940’s. She had a beautiful voice, and was a long time member of the St. Mary’s Church Choir. In addition, the Queen Bee was an accomplished bowler, ice skater and artist, especially when it came to ceramics.
Queenie was proud of her extended family as an aunt and great aunt, and would often extol their accomplishments. She especially enjoyed UCONN basketball, and went to several of the Women’s Final Fours, most of which UCONN won!
Queenie was an exceptionally kind, caring and enjoyable person to be around, and she will be missed.
On Saturday, July 20th, friends may call from 8:30 — 9:30 AM at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home. 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 AM for her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Church. Her burial will follow at Mt. St. Peter Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.
Friends may leave condolences at www.adzimafh.com.
