Ceci Maher
Member of the Connecticut State Senate
from the 26th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2023
Preceded byWill Haskell
Personal details
Born
Catherine Cecilia Queeney

(1953-11-19) November 19, 1953 (age 70)
New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Gordon Roberts Maher
​
​
(m. 1980; died 2020)​
Children3 (incl. Katherine Maher)
Residence(s)Wilton, Connecticut, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst (BS)
Columbia University (MS)
Websitececimaher.com

Catherine Cecilia Maher, known as Ceci Maher (née Queeney; born November 19, 1953[1]) is an American executive and politician. She currently serves as a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 26, which encompasses Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton, for the Democratic Party.[2]

Early life and education

Maher was born Catherine Cecilia Queeney on November 19, 1953, in New Jersey to John Hart Queeney and Rosalie (née Kirby) Queeney.[3] She was one of six children and was primarily raised in Stamford, Connecticut were she attended the local schools. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising at University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1995, Maher completed a Master's degree in Social Work at Columbia University in New York.[4][5]

Career

In 1977, Maher started her career at Lord & Taylor, and worked several years for department stores such as Target Corporation. More recently, she was the executive for various non-profit organizations in Connecticut, such as Sandy Hook Promise.[6][7]

Politics

In 2019, Maher unsuccessfully ran for Board of Selectman of Wilton, Connecticut.[8] In 2022, she was endorsed by the Democratic Party for Connecticut State Senate.[9] She was elected in the primary election on November 8, 2022, succeeding incumbent Will Haskell.[10] Maher assumed office January 4, 2023 where she currently serves as chair of the Children's commission and vice chair of the Higher Education & Employment Advancement commission. She is also a member of Energy & Technology, Human Services, Internship and Judiciary commissions.[11]

Personal life

On September 7, 1980, she married Gordon Roberts Maher, a Goldman Sachs banking executive.[12] He passed away on October 5, 2020. Maher has three grown children and resides in Wilton, Connecticut.[13]

References

  1. ^ United States Public Records, 1970-2009
  2. ^ "Ceci Maher". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  3. ^ "Rosalie Queeney Obituary (2018) - Wilton, CT - Wilton Bulletin". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ^ "Connecticut State Sen. Ceci Maher - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  5. ^ "Ceci Maher CT State Senator for Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton » CBIA". CBIA. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  6. ^ Ross, Jeannette (2019-10-03). "Wilton Board of Selectman candidate: Ceci Maher". The Wilton Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  7. ^ Freda, J. D. (2022-03-09). "Wilton's Maher gains support in bid for CT 26th Senate District". The Wilton Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  8. ^ Ross, Jeannette (2019-10-03). "Wilton Board of Selectman candidate: Ceci Maher". The Wilton Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  9. ^ GMW, Reader Contributed to (2022-05-13). "ELECTION 2022 — 26th State Senate: Democrats Unanimously Endorse Wilton's Ceci Maher". Good Morning Wilton. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  10. ^ Freda, J. D. (2022-11-09). "Wilton Democrats 'thrilled' by Election Day results, DTC chair says". The Wilton Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  11. ^ Hall, Foster. "About Senator Maher". Connecticut Senate Democrats. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  12. ^ "Catherine Queeney, a Buyer, Married to Gordon R. Maher". The New York Times. 1980-09-07. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  13. ^ "Gordon Maher Obituary (2020) - Wilton, CT - Wilton Bulletin". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
Categories