Rebecca Breed died Monday, June 13, 2022, following complications after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mrs. Breed was a lawyer, advocate, philanthropist, and devoted mother and grandmother. Mrs. Breed served as a Special Public Defender for Juvenile Matters, Guardian Ad Litem, and a member of Attorney Panel Stamford-Norwalk for Child Protection Cases.
As a public defender, Mrs. Breed was dedicated to representing underprivileged youth. Mrs. Breed was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1998, and the State of Connecticut in 1992.
Prior to founding her private law practice, Mrs. Breed served as First Selectman (1981-1983) and Selectman (1979-1981; 1983-1985) for the Town of Greenwich.
Mrs. Breed was active in many charitable and civic endeavors. She served on a number of boards of directors, including The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Greenwich Country Day School, Choate Rosemary Hall, The Fresh Air Fund, Christ Church Vestry, Connecticut Judicial Review Council, Child Protection Team of Greenwich, Greenwich Advisory Council on Youth and Drugs, Merry-Go-Round, and Connecticut Board of Medical Examiners.
Mrs. Breed was an accomplished athlete, winning many tennis and paddle tennis championships. At Rosemary Hall, she won every match and never lost a set. In 1998, she was inducted into the Choate Rosemary Hall Athletic Hall of Fame. In her youth, she was invited to play on the US Women’s Olympic Field Hockey Team.
Mrs. Breed was a lifelong resident of Greenwich. After raising her four children, she returned to college and graduated cum laude from Manhattanville College at 48 years old.
Following her terms serving as both Selectman and First Selectman, she entered law school, graduating from Pace University at 55 years old.
Mrs. Breed was also a graduate of the Greenwich Country Day School and Rosemary Hall.
Mrs. Breed was predeceased by her husband William C. Breed III. She was the daughter of the late Clifford S. Sutter and Suzanne Tenney Sutter, and the granddaughter of Harral S. Tenney and Helen Thomas Tenney. Mrs. Breed was an adored and admired mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children William C. Breed IV (Laura Ann), Alan W. Breed (Ellen), Michael S. Breed (Kerri), Rebecca Breed Richardson (John); and 13 grandchildren Meghan Breed, Rebecca Breed, Caroline Cunnane (Rory), Billy Breed, Eliza Breed (Casey), Kate Breed, William Breed, Michael Breed, Jack Richardson, Blake Richardson, Jennie Richardson, Logan Richardson, Jane Richardson; and two great-grandchildren Liam and Lulu Cunnane.
A role model and inspiration to her family, Mrs. Breed was whip-smart, relentlessly curious, ceaselessly resilient, hilariously funny, searingly witty, fiercely loyal, wildly fun, infinitely generous, wonderfully thoughtful, creatively ingenious, and wholly devoted. She was unique in every sense and will be forever missed.
A celebration of her life will be held at Christ Church, 254 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT on Wednesday, June 22 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions to: Rebecca Breed Scholarship Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, 4 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06831.