Two Perish in Wilton Fire– the Untold Story
By Nancy Armstrong
The Wilton community was devastated by the tragic fire this past Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 11 Village Walk. The fire resulted in the loss of two fine individuals who happened to have developmental disabilities. For twenty years, STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way (STAR), had been supporting these two people in the pursuit of the fulfillment of their dreams. STAR has received permission from the families to share their very personal and private story.
The two lives lost belonged to Cynthia Timmins and Dana Conley. The story of Dana and Cynthia is a story of their own design. It is a tale of successful lives, filled with good friends and good family.
Cynthia was a lifetime resident of Wilton, with family roots as deep as those in her grandfather’s Wilton apple orchard. She was a recognized and welcomed member of the Wilton community, a sweet, friendly individual with much to contribute. She volunteered for many years, helping the retired nuns at the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Wilton.
Cynthia experienced many wonderful things in her life, from travel to education. She was surrounded by a family who not only loved her, but also afforded her the security and confidence to do and be everything that she wanted to be. Cynthia was in charge of her own life; everyone who knew her, knew that.
In 2008, Cynthia found herself living alone in the two-bedroom apartment where she had lived for over 15 years, sometimes with a roommate and sometimes alone. Her family and her support system both agreed that it would be ideal if there were someone living in the second bedroom. Cynthia, however, insisted she was most content living alone and said, “No, thank you,” to the idea. Cynthia was happy living with her cat, Sandy, and working at the Village Market in Wilton.
Around that same time, Dana had retired from Schulhof Animal Hospital in Westport where he had worked for over 20 years. Dana had lived in Norwalk, before moving to Westport to be close to his job. He made many friends and he enjoyed traveling. Dana particularly enjoyed trips to New York and Virginia to visit with his family.
Dana was very proud of his work, but after he retired, there was no reason to continue to live near his previous job. Dana confided to friends that he was not happy living by himself. He was lonely.
One Saturday, a crew of friends, which included Dana and STAR staff, decided to drive to the Statue of Liberty. They wound up with an extra seat in the car, so they invited Cynthia along. Cynthia took advantage of that empty seat, fitting into the circle of friends so naturally, that she agreed to join in their activities each Saturday.
Dana and Cynthia had always been friends, but were slowly getting to know each other even better. Cynthia decided to ask her friend Dana to share her apartment. It was a little over one year ago that he and his cat, Susan, moved in with Cynthia and her cat, Sandy.
Dana was a proud man, who insisted on working in order to pay his bills. He frequently said, “I do my best to be a good man.” He accepted a job as a member of the Norwalk Mayor’s SoNo Crew, through which he enjoyed having lunch with Mayor Moccia.
Attending church weekly was very important to Dana. STAR support staff picked him up each Sunday morning for church services at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk. Again, there was an extra seat in the car, and Cynthia decided that she would like to see what the church service was like. After that first time, Dana and Cynthia went to church together every Sunday.
Dana’s and Cynthia’s very busy lives continued with visits to the Museum of Natural History, the Mystic Aquarium, the Maritime Center, the Westport Theater, walks on Calf Pasture and sometimes a quiet evening at home watching TV. Once a week they would visit with Cynthia’s mother and aunt to share a pint of ice cream and fond memories.
There is no exact moment when it happened, but one day they looked at each other, smiled, and from all appearances, never again broke eye contact again. Dana felt that after a lifetime of yearning for love, the person who could love him back had been standing right beside him. Cynthia made the decision to give love a try and fell in love with a man as sweet and friendly as she was.
They were in love. You could see it. You could feel it. They began to talk about it. Eventually, Dana asked the STAR staff, “So… how does one go about this getting married thing?” It was suggested that he begin with a proposal and an engagement. Dana figured that was a good plan. He told Cynthia’s mother, “I love your daughter, and I want to marry her.” Mrs. Timmins understood, because, “Cynthia was certainly lovable.”
On Valentine’s Day, 2009, Dana asked Cynthia to marry him and she accepted. He asked his STAR support counselor to drive them to select a ring. The design Cynthia chose was sent out to be sized.
Each morning Dana and Cynthia kissed each other goodbye before they left for work. On Friday afternoon, the day before the fire, Dana remarked to his support staff, “Isn’t it something that after all these years, we would finally find each other?”
Dana and Cynthia are an example of self-determination and dreams realized. Thank you to the Wilton community and to every person who understands that people are all different, but mostly alike.
It seems important that you know about these two remarkable people. We knew they were both popular, we knew their lives were rich with family and friends, we knew
They were involved with the community, but through the heartwarming outpouring of grief and offers of sympathy, STAR and the families continue to appreciate each day how much the community learned, grew and benefited from the presence of Cynthia and Dana in their lives.
Cynthia did not get to wear her ring in this life, but she will take it with her on the new adventure that the two have embarked upon together.
A celebration of their lives will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk at 2 p.m.
Dana Conley
Dana Mendall Conley, 57, and his dear friend and fiancée Cynthia Timmins, died on Saturday, February 21, 2009, as a result of a fire at their home in Wilton. He was preceded in death by his parents James Stuart and Priscilla Taylor Conley, sisters, Robin Stetson Conley and Linda Stuart Conley, a great nephew Ryan Danson Phipps. Surviving are his sisters, Sharon Taylor Conley-Edwards and husband Richard of Roanoke, VA, Heather Gay Conley and husband Eugene (Zooey) Park of New York City; brother, Devon Stuart Conley of Old Lyme, CT. Dana was proud of his status as uncle to Kimberly Taylor Addington and Kenneth Evans Stuart Conley and wife Christina, and he was especially delighted to be the “Great” uncle to Taylor Conley, Kayla Phipps, and Grace Ryan Addington. He worked at Schulhoff Animal Hospital in Westport for “21 long years.” He was devoted to his cats Cammie, and Susan, (who perished with him). Dana was blessed with many many friends from the STAR community. He loved to sing with The Rubber Band and with the choir at St. Pauls On The Green. He enjoyed very much his trips to New York City with Jeff, Cynthia, and other friends. Dana looked forward to his annual Christmas vacation with his Roanoke, VA family. A joyful memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s in Norwalk, on Saturday, at 2 P.M., March 7, 2009. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics or to STAR in Norwalk. Arrangements are by Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford.
Cynthia Timmins
Cynthia Woolsey Timmins, age 54 of Wilton tragically perished along with her best friend and fiancé, Dana Conley, in a fire on February 21st. Cynthia was born on December 30, 1954 and she lived most of her life in Wilton, attending schools in Wilton and Westport. She was the beloved daughter of Marion (Bassett) Timmins and the late Dr. Percy Timmins.
Cynthia was employed by Village Market, where she worked for the past 8 years. Prior to that she was an employee of Stop and Shop. She volunteered for many years at the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Wilton. Cynthia received support from STAR for many years.
In her younger years, Cynthia traveled extensively, with her parents, throughout the United States and Canada visiting national parks and historic sites. She loved movies, Elvis and opera. Pavarotti was her favorite performer.
Cynthia was one of God’s angels on earth and touched many people in her life with her loving personality and will be greatly missed by everyone at STAR, her family, and her many friends.
In addition to her mother, her aunts survive her, Ruth Bassett of Wilton, and Marge Bassett of Midland, Texas along with cousins Truman Bassett of Trumbull CT, Carolyn Krenz of Middlefield CT., and Kevin Bassett of Richardson, Texas.
Cynthia’s family want to thank everyone at STAR, for all the love and help they have provided her over the years.
A memorial service for Cynthia and Dana will be held at The Parish of St. Paul’s-on-the- Green in Norwalk on Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to STAR Inc., P.O. Box 470 Norwalk, CT. 06852 or St. Paul’s-on-the Green, 60 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.