Elizabeth P. "Nean" Tirone, 93, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025 in Portland CT. Born February 21, 1932, in St. Petersburg FL, to Louis and Florence Olivia (Ahlstrin) Palau, she was raised in Centerbrook CT.  Nean was the beloved wife of the late Carl Thomas Tirone for over 64 years. They raised their family in Meriden, CT.

Nean graduated from Pratt High School (Essex, CT), where she earned 11 varsity letters in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She pursued her education at the Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing, embarking on a long and successful career as a Registered Nurse at Middlesex Hospital.

Nean was a dedicated advocate for equal rights for women, particularly in athletics. A UConn Women's basketball season ticket holder for over 30 years, she also actively participated in competitive softball in Meriden well into her 60s. With an enduring thirst for knowledge, Nean was virtually a pre-internet clipping service, sharing relevant newspaper articles in a wide variety of subject areas with loved ones. Nean was proud to be a founding member of the Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education (MILE), receiving an honorary lifetime achievement award for her contributions.

Known for her quiet demeanor and steadfast kindness, she maintained lifelong connections with many of her classmates, often facilitating reunions.

Family was paramount to Nean, and she planned many of the family vacations which often included camping with visits to area museums. She selflessly attended countless sporting and scholastic events for her children and grandchildren.

Nean is survived by her sons and daughters: Charles (Patricia) Tirone of Ballston Lake, NY; Robert (Alison) Tirone of Byfield, MA; Elizabeth (David) Cooley of Portland, CT; Mark (Sharon Eppes) Tirone of Wilmington, DE; and Susan (Ed Roy) Tirone of Middletown, CT. She was the proud "Gramma" to her seven grandchildren: Charles Tirone, Olivia and Cassidy (Andrew Poulin) Cooley, Samuel Roy, Carl J. Tirone, Marissa and Cara Eppes. Nean is also survived by her sister, Eleanor P. Jacobs, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Patricia Palau, her brother, Charles Palau, and her granddaughter Olivia's life partner, Christian Bennett.

A celebration of Nean's life will be held on Friday, April 25, at 11:30 A.M at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown, CT, followed by a burial alongside her husband at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT.

The family extends its gratitude to Portland Care and Rehab for their exemplary care in Nean's final days. In her honor and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to In a Heartbeat Foundation, Wallingford, CT. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.