Eunice Waller, Former New London Mayor, Passes Away

Eunice McLean Waller, a former New London mayor and well-known activist, passed away today. She was 90 years old.

Waller served as mayor of New London from 1988 to 1989, the first African-American woman to hold the office. Waller also served on the Board of Education for 10 years and has served as a member of the Board of Ethics. She taught for the Waterford Public Schools for 51 years, including 26 years at Clark Lane Middle School, before retiring in 1993.

Waller was a co-founder of the and served 20 years on the Board of Trustees. Following Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, Waller and her husband established the . This has awarded scholarships each year to local seniors "through a selection process designed to measure dedication to learning, understanding of Dr. King's mission, demonstration of character and financial need."

Mayor Daryl Finizio ordered all city flags to be placed at half-staff in recognition of Waller.

"Today, New London lost a legend," he said. "We thank her for her service and pray for her and her family."