Bridget Theresa (McGrath) Lee

Bridget Theresa Lee, 94, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away at Colonial Health and Rehab Center in Plainfield on June 25, 2023. She was born on February 17, 1929 in Manhattan, New York City, daughter of the late John McGrath and Delia (O’Grady) McGrath. Bridget was educated at Father Young Academy and after graduating she worked at New York Life Insurance Company. On October 14, 1950 she married the late Thomas J. Lee at Church of the Annunciation, New York City, and then moved to Connecticut in 1952. Bridget was a long-time resident of Voluntown.

Bridget’s greatest joy was her family and she is survived by four of her six children; Thomas (Michalene) Lee of Griswold; Colleen (Thomas) Wilber of Voluntown; Rosemary (Timothy) Kesling of Brooklyn, CT; and Mavourneen (Paul) Costello of Vernon, CT; and her daughter-in-law, Davida Lee of West Warwick, RI; eleven grandchildren Brian (Stacey) Lee, Matthew Lee, Michalene (David) Sutton, Christopher Lee, Thomas (Stacy) Wilber, Katrina (Raymond) Arnott, Michael Kesling and his fiancé Jennifer Pittman, Bridget Kesling, Kathleen (Scott) Cofiell, Sean Costello, and Laura Lee Costello; eight adored great-grandchildren, two nephews and a niece. She was predeceased by her son Kevin Lee and his wife Stefanie, son, Denis Lee, brother, John McGrath Jr., sister, Margaret McGrath and brother and sister-in-law, John and Kathleen Lee.

When Bridget was not caring for her own family, she was active in the community as Cub Scout leader, 4-H assistant leader, PTA member and by serving on the committee that established a library at Voluntown Elementary School. She also enjoyed her time as Deputy Registrar of Voters (1971-1985) and then as Registrar of Voters (1985-1998) for the Democratic Party. After raising her family, she obtained her Associate Degree and began substituting for the Griswold Public Schools, eventually becoming an instructional assistant in the Special Education department at Griswold High School until she retired in 1989.

Family, faith and friends were important to Bridget. She was a very active member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, serving over the years as lector, lay Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher, member of the Rosary Altar Society and the Legion of Mary. Bridget volunteered to help with whatever needed to be done at the church, and for numerous years she cared for the altar linens. She loved her church and fellow parishioners; many were her dearest friends who continued to pray, send cards, and visit her. Bridget liked to read and travel with family and friends; she especially enjoyed The St. Thomas Travelers trips.

Bridget’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Colonial Health and Rehab Center for their excellent and loving care; she considered all of you friends. A heartfelt thank you to so many of the residents who also extended their friendship to her. Everyone’s friendship, care and kindness will long be remembered by her family.

Calling hours will be Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 5:00-7:00PM at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Griswold.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM, Friday June 30, 2023 at St. Thomas Church, 61 Preston City Road (Route 165), Voluntown. Interment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Sheldon Road, Griswold. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Voluntown, or the Voluntown Volunteer Fire Department.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bridget Theresa (McGrath) Lee, please visit our floral store.