Eileen Corliss

Eileen Leora (Lee) Corliss of Milford, died January 5, 2009. She was born September 28, 1923, in Killingly, CT, the daughter of the late John C. and Helen Cristy Rand.She joined the navy on her 21st first birthday and proudly served as a WAVE in WWII from 1944 to 1946. She was an avid sportswoman who played softball for the "Club Tip Toe" which later became the Original Brakettes, a semi-professional women's team in Bridgeport where she was known for her batting ability and homeruns. She later was a member of local bowling teams. She married Harold M. Corliss in 1947 and for many years these avid gardeners produced berries and vegetables for local markets. After her husband's death in 1993 she continued growing vegetables at the community garden in Milford and donated them to the local senior center and soup kitchen. She also was a volunteer at the Milford Food Bank. Lee had a large clientele during the many years she worked as a hairdresser. She also went to school and became a clown to be able to entertain children in hospitals. She was very active in the Stratford Baptist Church, being a member of the church choir and also a gospel choir. In 2000 she was presented with a "Woman of Achievement" award from the General Federation of Women's Clubs - Milford Young Women's Club, in recognition of not only her above community contributions but also for her efforts in Veterans Affairs. She was a member of the navy women's veteran organization, Unit 82 in Fairfield. She is survived by her step-daughter Evelyn Auger and her husband Jean. Her step-grandchildren, the Auger's daughter Carole and husband Kevin Barbour, and their sons, Michael and wife Jeanne, Paul, Gregg and wife Pam, Christopher and wife Debby, and also eleven great-grandchildren and fifteen great-great grandchildren. Graveside services will be held in Evergreen Cemetery New Haven Monday January 12, 2009 at 1:00 PM