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07/30/2015 12:00 AMEileen M. Daily, the Westbrook Democrat who served for two decades as 33rd District state senator, died on July 29 at age 72. Daily, who was also her hometown’s former first selectman and Board of Education member, retired from politics in 2012, citing a battle against cancer.
Daily represented the 33rd District towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook in the State Senate from 1993 to 2013.
“Ms. Daily was a great public servant to the Town of Westbrook and continued her service to Westbrook and the entire state of Connecticut as our state senator,” said Westbrook Selectman Chris Ehlert. “She will be greatly missed and remembered for he devotion to Westbrook, and her friends and family.”
Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman released the following statements regarding Dailyu’s passing:
Malloy said, “For decades, she was a tenacious fighter for her constituents and a committee chair who wielded enormous respect among colleagues—and she did it with a smile on her face. Eileen was one of the toughest elected officials in the state, yet her jovial disposition always made those around her feel at ease. She represented the best of public service and politics. She was tough, loyal, hardworking, knew the issues, and her word was always her bond. This is a loss for all of us—Eileen will indeed be missed. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.”
Wyman said, “Today is truly a sad day. Within the walls of the State Capitol, Eileen was more than just a public servant, she was a genuine leader. To me, Eileen was more than colleague, she was a friend. We served together for years. And while we worked closely together on so many different issues, we knew each other well. She was a wonderful person with whom I was close, and I received the news this morning with an extraordinarily heavy heart. My prayers are with her entire family at this difficult time.”
A number of her State Senate colleagues also noted her passing.
“Sen. Daily was a true champion for small towns and for the people of the 33rd Senate District,” said State Senator Art Linares, Jr., who now represents the district. “She worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents, and her environmental advocacy will be a lasting legacy for our region and throughout Connecticut. She was personable and she knew the issues inside and out. Sen. Daily was respected by everyone at the State Capitol.
“Today, we honor Sen. Daily for her service and we remember her many accomplishments,” Linares continued. “Her passing is a tremendous loss for Westbrook and for Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sen. Daily’s family and friends.”
State Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said, “She was a tremendous leader who had the ability to command respect with few words. When she did speak, she was decisive, logical and people followed. She balanced that with a great sense of humor. This is a great loss for Connecticut.”