Haley Elizabeth Veller

Haley Elizabeth Veller, born April 1, 1965, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 6, 2026.  This difficult time was eased by the enormous number of friends, colleagues, and family who supported her in her final months and weeks.

Haley is remembered for her life in East Haven, Connecticut, her long career as a family and probate attorney, as well as her charity work for cancer and other causes via The Parrot Head Club of Connecticut.  Mostly she will be remembered as a wife (married to Jay Bodner), stepmom (Jake and Alexa Bodner), aunt, little sister, and cousin to many.

Born in Brattleboro, Vermont, Haley grew up in Dover and Rutland.  She was the fifth child in the Veller family (following Brady, Craig, Kevin and Bryce) she immediately became everyone’s darling and was nick named Haley Baily Cumquat for her relatively (compared to her siblings) small size.  Later when she acquired three stepbrothers, she bumped to eight place following George, Dick and Charlie Smith.

Known for singing in her crib, Haley later sang in the acapella group, “The Cat’s Meow” at the University of Vermont, and in a rock band in Boulder, Colorado.  Law School led her to Connecticut; music led her to The Parrot Head Club of Connecticut, which provided her with a wide circle of friends, as well as Jay, who became her husband in 2014, with Brownie, their rescue dog by their side.

Haley loved children and was quick to tell you that one of her favorite jobs was being a camp counselor at Camp Hochelaga on the shores of Lake Champlain.  Two young boys in her recent life, Wolfie and Wozzie, held a special place in her heart.

She loved to shower her friends with gifts that were as beautiful outside (fancy-ass bows) as in.  In turn, friends loved to give her nicknames like Hales, Halester, Hale Bale; Haley-Bird, Mashamoo, Jayley and of course Cumquat, which she could never quite shake.

In her early years, Haley availed herself to Vermont’s mountains and skiing, but later it was the ocean that made her happiest.  She and Jay created a home overlooking Long Island Sound.  Their neighbors will miss seeing Haley tooling around the neighborhood with Jay on their golf cart; often turning a 10-minute ride into a two-hour social, or a game of bocce by the ocean.

The family would like to thank Connecticut Hospice for their fleet of angels who helped Haley at her bedside.  In lieu of flowers, consider a donation via Venmo to the The Parrot Head Club of Connecticut, which is a conduit to many of Haley’s favorite charities: @PHCOCT.

A celebration of Haley’s life will be held at the Indian Neck Yacht Club in Branford, Ct. on the 7th of November at 3PM. Please wear your brightest colors and Hawaiian shirts.