Lois “Betty Lou” Gannon, 85, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 17, 2017, in Wallingford, CT. She was born in New Haven to the late Frank and Anna (Hughes) Carter in December, 1931. Betty was married to her elementary school sweetheart, Walter, for 61 years at the time of her death. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six adoring children: sons, Daniel of Hamden and Eric of Cheshire; four daughters, Tracey (John) Rogers of North Haven, Maureen (Peter) DeRose of East Haven, Mary Catherine (Kevin) Degnan of Madison and Ann (Daniel) Sivori of Vermont; her five grandchildren: Lindsey, Danielle, Troy, Albert and Jessica as well as her three great-granddaughters Rowan, Sienna and Willow. She was predeceased by her dear sister, Maryann Timoteo of Northford. Betty Lou graduated from both Sacred Heart Elementary School and Hillhouse High School. She always remained loyal to the Elm City and, up until her passing, loved to drive through the old neighborhood and point out things she could remember. After graduation she worked at SNET until she left to raise her six children. She was also employed at Anthem Blue Cross/ Blue Shield for ten years. Betty was very involved in charity organizations, which was reflected by her volunteer position at St. Raphael’s Hospital for over 20 years and as a member of the altar society at St. Francis Cabrini Church. Betty Lou can be remembered for many things such as her love for family, the outdoors, crispy chicken, ice box cake and her famous congo bars! She was an avid reader along with other hobbies such as gardening, crocheting, needle point and sewing most of her children’s clothes when they were young. Betty never passed up the opportunity to attend a musical or good conversations over a cup of tea! She traveled extensively with her dear husband, Walter, and together they saw the world. She will mostly be remembered for her kindness and sweet disposition. She greeted loved ones as well as strangers with a twinkle in her eye and smile that would light up a room. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the nursing staff on 2 Wooster at Masonic Healthcare who cared for her since 2013. We know she brought joy to the Alzheimer’s floor and it was returned in kind by your professionalism and compassion.

Relatives and friends are invited to go directly to Saint Frances Cabrini Church,  57 Pond Hill Road,  North Haven, Friday morning December 22nd  at 10:00 to attend a  Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to  attend the committal service immediately following in the All Saints Mausoleum. The visiting hours will be Thursday, December 21st, from 4 to 7 pm in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. A tribute page for Lois Carter Gannon has been established on said website.