Celyne T. Haberman

Celyne Theresa Haberman, 95, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, beloved wife of the late Dale Haberman, entered into eternal rest on June 3, 2023.  Born on March 31, 1928 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late George and Catherine (MacDonald) Smith.

A retired employee of The Southern Connecticut Telephone Company in New Haven, Celyne started as an operator working split shifts in Bridgeport, CT.  She was quickly noticed for her dedication and likability with customers, which led to her rapid rise to management overseeing the business yellow pages in the New Haven office. 

As an active member of St. Gabriel church for over 60 years and as a devout catholic, she had a long affiliation with the Blue Army in NJ, as well as attending My Father’s House Retreat Center regularly.  She, along with her husband Dale, made several pilgrimages including one to Fatima.

Celyne was exceptionally talented.  She played the piano, danced, and loved to sing. Singing was her passion. From an early age she performed at various community and church events. It was that passion that led her to performing as a young woman on cruise ships along the Allegany &Monongahela River in Pittsburgh PA.  As a resident of the Jewish Home for the Elderly (now known as Mozaic Senior Life), she was lovingly known to sing every lyric of every song that was performed during their weekly entertainment. Having been born and raised in McKeesport, PA, she was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan.  She also spent many hours reading, and loved playing cards (especially Pinochle) with her family and friends.  She was well traveled and loved her trips to European countries.   But with all that said, her love of all loves, was her time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

She is survived by a daughter, Marianne Van Etten, of Los Angeles, CA; two sons: Howard Haberman (Barbara), of Milford, and Robert Haberman (Gail), of Orange, and daughter in law Marylee Haberman, West Hartford. Five granddaughters: Amy H. Gomez, Martha Landy, Megan Grace, Samantha Sztorc and Stephanie Haberman; and seven great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son William (Bill) Haberman; four sisters: Isabel Podolsk, Marian Harr, Charlotte Bradley, Virginia Feltz; and three brothers: George Smith, William Smith, and John Smith.  She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 BROAD STREET, MILFORD, CT 06460.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Gabriel’s Church, 26 Broadway, Milford, CT at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023. A private interment will be held by the family. 

The family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Cody-White Funeral Home 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Celyne T. Haberman to Mozaic Senior Life, Attn: Foundation, 4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or visit mozaicsl.org.

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