"She was such a highly dedicated person, an inspiration to all of us," Director of Finance Paul Hiller said of Mary Alice Morley, who had polio as a very young girl and who worked for the town beginning in 1974, and for the finance department beginning in 1988. Morley ran the payroll and accounts payable department before she died suddenly on Oct. 19 while she was visiting Nantucket with her extended family.
"She was challenged by her handicap and became a beacon of light. She overcame hardships because she had such a positive spirit," Hiller said of the woman, who at 61 had a walker, that she had not always had to use.
"She brought so much history to the job. She was so valued. She will be sorely, sorely, sorely missed," Hiller said.
Caitlin Bosse works in the finance department and said, "She knew every bit of information you could want. We're definitely going to miss that knowledge."
Furthermore, her family had lived in Fairfield for generations, Bosse said, adding "She knew the operators. She knew all the players."
"Her work ethic was above everyone's," said her coworker, quick to add that Morley was "Funky. She had a great sense of humor."
Jude Fitzgerald, who worked with Morley agreed. "She was very witty, very funny very articulate. You could have any type of conversation with her, whether it was about old movies, or anything else."
On the other hand, Fitzgerald noted, "When she was teaching you something, she was very patient and kind."
"She was a great person in general," added her co-worker.
"She had great hearing. You couldn't see her behind the desk, (Morley was petite and there were stacks of papers and journals nearby), but she'd hear you and she'd come back with a funny remark," said Fitzgerald.
Morley was a huge Mets fan and followed them religiously, sometimes going to spring training camp, but Nantucket was her favorite spot. She would go there with her family every year for two weeks. She went this October, but didn't come back. "It was very unexpected," said Bosse.
Morley "overcame her physical limitations with intelligence and class," said Hiller.
First Selectman Ken Flatto said, "We will sorely miss Mary Alice. One of the things that made her special is that she had boundless energy. When it came time to organize donations and a card for employees when they were sick, she would do it. Mary Alice was always thinking of other people."
Now, there are a lot of people thinking of Mary Alice.
Morley was born to James and Mary Ester Morely. She graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1966 and earned a Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Bridgeport. She has a brother James, of Fairfield, two sisters, and six nieces and nephews. Her funeral was at St. Thomas Church last Saturday.