“If by a ‘Liberal’ they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people  — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a ‘Liberal,’ then I’m proud to say I’m a ‘Liberal.’”

While these words were spoken by John F. Kennedy, the essence of his words were part of the everyday life of Mary Elizabeth (Shanley) Mockovak, 80, of Bethel, and formerly of Newtown, who died September 3. Ms Mockovak was born May 13, 1934, in Danbury, a daughter of Martha and Frank Shanley.

She lived in the greater Danbury area most of her life, graduating from Danbury High School, Class of 1951. She married Robert A. Mockovak nine years later, in Ohio. She moved back to Connecticut in 1969, and lived in Newtown for the next 25 years.

Her final years were spent in Bethel. Throughout her life she never wavered in her belief that all people deserved to be treated fairly. Her ideals were founded in the basic teachings of religion that no one should ever be persecuted for their beliefs. Ms Mockovak was an avid reader, and she traveled the world through her books. In her later years she was very generous in supporting the many causes she believed in.

Her son Mark Mockovak, and two grandchildren, Eric and Kyle; brother Edward Shanley and his wife Arlene, all of Newtown, and their daughter, Audra; and many nieces and nephews survive Ms Mockovak. Her husband of 34 years and brothers John, Francis, and Donald predeceased her.

Services will be private. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel.

Donations in her name may be sent to the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, 39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury CT 06810.