Mary Jean Vining Sweeney, 85

Mary Jean Vining Sweeney, 85, of Hamden, died Jan. 4, 2013.

She was the wife of the late Richard Vining, former Director of Technical Operations for the town of Hamden, and Charles Sweeney former Chief Assessor for the Town of Hamden.

She was the loving mother of Susan Vining of Cheshire, Richard Vining, Jr. of Branford, Jay Vining of Hamden and Brian Vining of New London. She is also survived by her cherished granddaughter, Margaret Vining. She was predeceased by a brother John Hurley and a sister Marjorie Hurley.

Mary Jean was born in New Haven on Oct. 13, 1927, the daughter of the late John J. and Florence E. (McCutcheon) Hurley. Mrs. Sweeney was a broker/owner of the former Vining Group, then retired as a real estate agent for DePodesta Real Estate.

Mary Jean was active in many civic affairs, including a board member of the National Democratic Women's Association, the past President of the CT. branch DWA and was a Commissioner for the Hamden Commission of Economic Development.

Her funeral will leave Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden, today (Monday) at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Quinnipiac University's Ireland's Great Hunger Museum, 3011 Whitney Ave., Hamden, 06518. www.siskbrothers.com