Virginia Harriett Breen (commonly known as Gidge), 92, died on February 20, 2026, at Ridge Crest in Redding. She was born December 18, 1933, in Yonkers, N.Y., a daughter of Walter and Irene Gallagher.

As a child Gidge grew up in Lincoln Park in Yonkers, N.Y., and graduated college from Georgetown School of Nursing in 1955, where she was vice president of her senior class. Gidge worked as an OR nurse after graduation at Lawrence Hospital in the Bronx, and married her childhood sweetheart, John “Jack” Breen, in 1956. They settled in Chappaqua, N.Y., where they raised their children. She took some time off from nursing and returned and worked the night shift at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco in 1976. Gidge then started the Ambulatory Surgery Unit at Northern Westchester as head nurse, and remained in that role until her retirement in the mid-nineties.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Doris Mertens; and a brother, Walter Gallagher, Jr.

Surviving Gidge are her daughter, Cathy Breen Austermann; and her granddaughter, Haley Austermann of Newtown; a son, Dennis Breen of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

Jack and Virginia moved to Hilton Head in 1996. In 1997, they joined the Board of the Newcomers Club and made wonderful friendships that they kept until now. Gidge loved her retirement in Hilton Head. She would refer to it as “paradise” and was so happy there and made many friends playing tennis, golf, and of course bridge and mah jong.

Gidge loved all the simple things in life and was appreciative of everything. She was well-loved and many of her best friends passed before her. She will be remembered as an incredibly sweet lady.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on March 20, 2026, at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. She will be buried at a later date next to her husband in Hilton Head, S.C. In lieu of flowers, please make gifts in her memory to RVNA Health (rvnahealth.org), 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield CT 06879. Arrangements by Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.