Veronica Small Gleason

Promoted Value Of Education

Veronica “Bonnie” Small Gleason, 91, of Fairfield, died August 4. She was the widow of John M. Gleason, one of the original housemasters at Andrew Warde High School in Fairfield. She was born in Bridgeport on January 15, 1915, to Michael and Rena Tracy Small.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Madzula and her husband, John, of Newtown, and Mary Gleason of Fairfield; two grandchildren, Elizabeth M. Madzula of New York City, and John S. Madzula, II, of Newtown; and a nephew, the Rev Edward Small, SJ, of Fairfield. She was predeceased by two brothers, Edward and John T. Small.

Mrs Gleason was a graduate of Central High School, Bridgeport Normal School, and Central Connecticut State University. She received her master of arts from Fairfield University. She taught for 30 years in Bridgeport and Fairfield School Systems. She retired from Fairfield Schools in 1975.

Mrs Gleason and her late husband believed in the value and power of education. She served on many committees and boards at Fairfield University. In 1992, she was awarded Fairfield University’s 50th Jubilee Award. Thereafter, her daughters established The John and Veronica Gleason Award and Scholarship Fund to honor their parents.

Funeral services were held August 8 in the Larson Funeral Home, Bridgeport, and in The Church of the Assumption, Fairfield. Interment was in St Thomas Cemetery, Fairfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gleason Award and Scholarship Fund, c/o Fredric Wheeler, Fairfield University, Development Office, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06827 or to the charity of one’s choice.

The Newtown Bee        August 11, 2006