Mary Ellen Connolly

Mary Ellen Connolly, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20th, 2011 after an 18 year battle with Early Onset Alzeihmers. She was 68 years old. Mary was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She was the oldest of 8 kids. At 17 years old, she left Scotland and moved to Germany where she met and married Joseph James Connolly, who was stationed in Germany with the US ARMY. Mary is survived by: Lorraine Lachelier (daughter) and Phil Lachelier (son in law) of South Windsor, CT, Joe Connolly Jr (son) and wife Christine Connolly of Meriden, CT, Michelle Connolly (daughter) of Swansboro, NC, Lisa Rose (daughter) and George P. Rose (son in law) of Monroe, CT. Pat Lilly (her sister) and brother in law, Patrick Lilly of Milford, June Chedzey (sister) of Barry, South Glamorgan, South Wales, Bill Harmon of Scotland, Robert Harmon of Scotland.Predeceased brothers: Dennis Harmon (brother) of Scotland, John Harmon (brother) of Scotland, James Harmon (brother) of Scotland, Joseph James Connolly (ex husband) of Hubert, North Carolina. Surviving nephews: John Lilly and wife Kate Lilly of St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Lilly of Shelton, CT,Terrence Lilly and wife Stacy Lilly of Milford, CT. Jason Crabbe of Barry, South Glamorgan, South Wales. She has 8 grandchildren, (Vanessa Calabro, Sarah Calabro, Kyle Connolly, Jake Connolly, Olivia Lachelier, Shauna Lachelier, Grace Rose and Jack Rose. Most recently, she became a great grandmother to Mylah Lachelier and Alyssandra Zuniga. Mary enjoyed traveling, in fact she had perfected the art of moving since she moved every 3 years with her family while her husband was in the military. After marrying in Birchesgarden, Germany, she lived in Red Bank, NJ/ Heidelberg, Germany/ Kaiserslautern, Germany/ Ft. Monroe, VA/ Worms, Germany/ Linwood, NJ and then finally when her husband retired from the military, they settled in Cheshire, CT. Mary was a dedicated caregiver. Her entire life was spent taking care of others. Besides spending time with her children and grandchildren, she was an avid reader, walking in fundraising events throughout vineyards in Germany, enjoyed bowling, and playing bingo. Mary had a wonderful since of humor, was a devote Catholic, loved to sing and enjoyed raising her kids in various cultures. Over her lifetime, she was: an entrepreneur who ran her own cleaning business, a librarian, a German/ English language tutor and a personal assistant. She developed a love of the ocean and was fortunate enough to spend time boating with her sister, Patricia Lilly, and her brother-in-law, Patrick Lilly, of Milford, Ct. Visitation will be March 23, 2011, Wednesday from 5 pm-8 pm with funeral services beginning at 7:30 pm which will be held at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home located at 315 Monroe Tpke in Monroe, CT 06468. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Rocky Hill, CT. For more information please visit www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com