Aileen Shields Bryan, 80, Was Skilled Yachtsman

Aileen Shields Bryan of Middlebury, Conn., died Nov. 29. She was 80 years old.

Mrs. Bryan was born April 4, 1925, in New Rochelle, N.Y., daughter of the late Cornelius and Josephine Shields. She studied at the Rye Country Day School, St. Margaret's School and the Berkeley-Llewelyn Business School.

As the daughter of world-famous yachtsman Cornelius Shields, she spent much of her youth racing sailboats at the Larchmont Yacht Club. Mrs. Bryan earned her own yachting fame by winning the Adams Cup -- the Women's National Sailing Championship -- in 1948, and class championships in the Atlantic and 210 class sailboats.

In 1950 she married Alexander Bryan, designer and builder of the Sunfish and Sailfish sailboats. Together they raised four children in Middlebury and in Edgartown, where they spent many of their summers. Throughout her life she never lost her love for her family, sports and the water.

She is survived by two sons, Alexander Jr. and Timothy; two daughters, Cornelia Bryan Hurst and Josephine Bryan Potter; a brother, Cornelius Shields 3rd; nine grandchildren, and a boat named Aileen. She will live on in our hearts and our memories.