Building To Be Named In Honor Of Trailblazing Wallingford Town Councilor

WALLINGFORD, CT — The building that houses the Wallingford Senior Center is being named in honor of former longtime Wallingford Town Councilor Iris Papale, who died in 2021 at the age of 86.

Officials are holding a dedication ceremony Wednesday morning (Oct. 9) “honoring the life and legacy of a remarkable public servant, Iris F. Papale,” according to a news release.

The public is invited to the ceremony, which will take place at 11 a.m. at the Wallingford Senior Center at 238 Washington Street.

“Please join us as we celebrate the naming of the building that houses the Wallingford Senior Center to the Iris F. Papale Municipal Building, a tribute to her tireless dedication and contributions to Wallingford,” officials wrote in the news release.

Papale was described as a “trailblazer in Wallingford, becoming the first woman elected to the Town Council, where she served with distinction for 32 years.”

“She was deeply involved in numerous community organizations, tirelessly contributing to Wallingford’s growth and prosperity,” according to the news release. “Her grace, ethics, and steadfast commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on all who knew her. This ceremony will celebrate her extraordinary legacy and lasting influence on Wallingford.”

Read more from the news release below:

Iris Papale was a pioneering leader and beloved figure in Wallingford, Connecticut, whose legacy reflects a lifetime of service, dedication, and integrity. Having moved to Wallingford as a young child, she became a central figure in the community, making history in 1975 as the first woman elected to the Wallingford Town Council. Over her 32-year tenure, she not only served but led, becoming the Council’s first female Chair. Her contributions also extended to her family business, Papale Greenhouses, where she helped forge lasting bonds within the community.

While deeply devoted to Wallingford, Iris’s greatest joy was her family. Her children — David, Richard, and Lynda — their spouses, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Beyond her family and Council work, Iris contributed broadly to the town’s well-being through various roles. She served on the Adult Education Advisory Board, the Lyman Hall Vocational Agricultural Committee, and chaired the Council Merit Review Committee. Her dedication included service on Connecticut’s Electric Work Examining Board, Wallingford’s Board of Ethics, as an active member of the Spanish Community of Wallingford, Wallingford Center, Inc., and the local chapter of Hadassah. She was especially committed to the well-being of seniors, serving as a valued member of the Wallingford Committee on Aging and a long-standing volunteer at the Senior Center.

Iris Papale passed away at the age of 86 in October of 2021.

See also: Obituary: Iris J. Papale, 86; Former Wallingford Town Councilor