Patricia “Pat” Connelly Liebler, 72, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Connecticut Hospice, Branford, with her family by her side. The beloved wife of the late John Liebler, Patricia was born in New Haven on August 28, 1950, to the late Gladys Wildhaber and was the loving mother of Jessica Liebler.
Patricia loved the outdoors, especially hiking, skiing, and spending summers at the beach house in Narragansett, RI. She and John built their North Haven home close to Sleeping Giant State Park where she visited often, and she enjoyed watching animals in their wooded backyard. Pat’s mentality was “the more, the merrier,” so she surrounded herself with dogs and people. She was a member of Branford Elks Lodge #1939 and loved ‘60s rock. Her greatest joy was entertaining family and friends, especially around the holidays. She loved a full house and would go above and beyond to make celebrations special, even arranging for fire trucks to deliver presents to the children at her Christmas parties. Short in stature but big on sass, she took all life’s challenges with a smile and a wisecrack.
Pat’s feisty personality extended to her career. She was hired at SNET as a filing clerk and soon took an opportunity in engineering and worked her way up through the male-dominated field. She often joked that the top of her head was so flat from banging it up against the glass ceiling. She retired from her director position at what had become AT&T in 2007.
Pat will be dearly missed by her daughter, Jessica; her brother, William “Bill” Connelly and his wife, Moira, and children Sarah and Sean; her sister, Kathleen Hacku and her husband, Ron, and daughter Carissa; her “favorite child”: dog Dakota; grand pup Denali; and several extended family members and dear friends. Besides her mother and dear husband, John, Patricia was predeceased by her brother, Edwin Connelly. After many years apart, we imagine her happy reunion with John.
Visiting hours will be on Saturday, March 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven, at 12 noon. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Animal Haven, 89 Mill Road, North Haven, CT 06473 or Sleeping Giant Park Association, sgpa.org.
To Pat’s family and friends,
Gone too soon, a force to be reckoned with lol!
What an amazing personality and such a great leader.
I will cherish my time working with Pat.
May her amazing personality and energy bring peace and joy to her family.
Sorry for your loss.
Gary W. Richards
So sorry to hear this news. She was such a fun and energetic woman. Always a smile on her face! It was a pleasure to sing for her for years. Thanks for your support all these years. Pat you will be missed!
Jess, my Deepest Sympathies to you. You lost both your parents much too soon. I know they are together now dancing and singing along some beach in Heaven. My heart goes out to you. Nancy Koskie
My sincere condolences to Pat’s family. She was so full of life and I enjoyed every interaction with her. Such a great personality! I hadn’t seen her for a while and wondered where she’s been. Pat would often talk about her daughter, the dogs (with pictures) and her homes with such pride. She loved them all very much. Rest peacefully, Pat.
I was gutted to hear the news. I always looked forward to seeing her at The Playwright whether I was performing or in the audience beside her and Jess.
My heart goes out to her family and friends.
Such sad news. Pat was a wonderful person and a lot of fun to have a cocktail or two with. My condolences.