Gail Elder Harden, 85

Gail Elder Harden, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024, at her home near New Canaan, CT. Gail (“Lucy” to her grandchildren) was born on September 3, 1938, in Greensboro, NC, to Walter Clifton Elder and Elizabeth Cheek Elder and grew up in Burlington, NC. She attended Walter Williams High School in Burlington, earned a bachelor’s degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, and a master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina. She taught early elementary education in Chapel Hill and Burlington and then devoted herself to raising her four children: Boyd, Shea, Graham, and Holmes Jr.
Gail showed an early interest in athletics as a high school cheerleader and a collegiate sportswriter. She pivoted to education and served as a substitute teacher for many years while raising her four children.

Toby Matthew Woods, 18

Toby Matthew Woods, age 18, died on February 21, 2024 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Toby was born in Stamford, Connecticut on May 10, 2005 to Peter and Kristina Woods. He spent his entire childhood in New Canaan, Connecticut with his parents and his older brother Nicholas. 

He was full of joys and loves and deep passions – for classical music, cello, piano, travel, learning, hiking, cooking, Legos, puzzles, business, sushi and urban design. He loved roller coasters, the higher and faster the better. He loved explaining complicated things and he was so amazingly good at it.

John J. O’Connor, 77

John J. O’Connor, a New Canaan resident for 43 years, passed away peacefully on February 20, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manhattan, NY on August 20th, 1946, the eldest son of Daniel and Dorothy O’Connor. He married his college sweetheart, Wynne (Muller) O’Connor, and together they celebrated 49 years of marriage, raising three children and sharing the joy of five grandchildren. 

Raised in Jackson Heights, NY, John graduated from Xavier High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s and law degrees at Fordham University and a Master of Laws degree at NYU Graduate School of Law. He dedicated many years to a successful career as a corporate attorney and, upon retirement, found fulfillment in teaching law and business courses at local colleges and universities. He was a proud member of the Army’s Fighting 69th Regiment and of the Friendly Sons of St.

Blanche ‘Penny’ Powell, 94

January 25th, 1930 – January 29th, 2024

Blanche “Penny” Prendergast was born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania on January 25th, 1930, the first child of Blanche Cook and Lawrence Prendergast. Penny passed away surrounded by family at her home in New Canaan just days after her 94th birthday. She will be terribly missed. Penny was a dear friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an outstanding athlete, teacher, and coach; a savvy financial investor who could be found pouring over Morningstar Investor reports; and an avid reader of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Economist.

John Varvatos Jr., 40

It is with a heavy heart that our family announces the passing of John Varvatos Jr, in his home in Nashville, TN on January 5, 2024. 

John was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 15, 1983 and grew up in New Canaan, CT. He graduated from New Canaan HS in 2002 and later attended the Columbia College of Art in Chicago, IL. John enjoyed living in the Midwest and he eventually resided in Detroit, Cincinnati and Chicago. He was most recently employed by NOZ Entertainment of Nashville, TN. As an avid history enthusiast, with special interest in WWII he collected all kinds of memorabilia from the era and admired cultural icons of all sorts.