Mrs. Mary Bernadette Connolly (nee Mooney) passed away on November 25th at 82 years.
The cause of death was complications from pneumonia, after a long brave battle with cancer.
She died peacefully at home surrounded by her Family. Mary was born on May 28, 1941 in
Shanballybocht, Irishtown, Co. Mayo Ireland. Mary was the eldest of 10 children born to
Thomas and Celia Mooney. She graduated from the Kilvine National School followed by
education at the Dunmore Vocational School for three years. Mary worked for the Galway
County Council for one year before emigrating to New York City in February 1959 at age 17 and
settling in the Bronx. Mary loved everything about the United States from the start. Her first job
in New York was as a secretary at International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. On
September 28, 1963 Mary was married to John Connolly, whom she called “the love of my life”.
Mary and John settled in Dumont, NJ in 1970 where they went on to raise their family. After the
children entered school Mary worked as a secretary in the Dumont Board of Education for 20
years before retiring in 1998. Mary was a remarkably positive and upbeat person. She loved
Irish Step Dancing, her various social groups, card games and of course watching her beloved
New York Mets. Above all though, Mary loved her Family.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John and her sister Nora. She is
survived by her children Brendan, Tommy and Anne, son in law Bernie and daughters-in-law
Jennifer and Stephanie; her siblings John, Sheila, William, Pat, Anne, Brendan, Breda and
Imelda; her grandchildren Sean (wife Emily), Megan (husband Brendan), Kevin, Kate, Emily,
Ryan, Grace, Brendan, Ella, Jack, Addie and Chase.
Mary was a member of the Bergen Irish Association, Celtic Seniors of Bergen County and St.
Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society.
Burial services were private. The Family is planning a Celebration of Life on a future date.
Details will be shared.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Mary Connolly to Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center.
For checks, please send under “Team Nanny” to:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Cycle for Survival
P.O. Box 27432
New York, NY 10087-7432
For online donations: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/TeamNanny