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Marla Kahn McConnell
July 21, 2017

Obituary

Marla Kahn McConnell was born on December 6, 1951 in Chicago Illinois. She died on July 21, 2017 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA from complications from a liver disease.

Marla’s mother and father were Estelle Kahn (deceased) and Albert Kahn, (deceased). Marla grew up on the north side of Chicago and attended Solomon Elementary School and Von Steuben High School. She also attended the A.G. Beth Israel Hebrew School. She enjoyed singing in the high school choir. She also loved to dance. For college Marla went to Southern Illinois University where she graduated in 1972 with a degree in Special Education. Marla went on to teach Special Education at Matthew Henson Middle School in Charles County Maryland from 1975 to 1978.

In 1972 Marla married the late Mark Reisch and had two sons from this marriage, Jason and Daniel. Their marriage ended in divorce.

On June 1, 1991 Marla married Terry McConnell. Together they raised Marla’s two boys and Terry’s children, Matt and Melissa. A fifth child, Karin Purugganan was adopted later. Marla was very proud of the fact that all five children graduated college and found good jobs. Marla was an extremely caring parent with a no-nonsense attitude. She provided each child with good boundaries and love.

Marla taught preschool at MOPs Preschool and Resurrection Preschool in Alexandria Virginia in the 1980s. In the early 1990s Marla taught at the Alexandria Community Network Preschool for disadvantaged children. In the mid 1990s Marla worked as a chef at the Anne Mimi’s restaurant in Alexandria. In the late 1990s through 2005 Marla worked as a circulation specialist at the James M. Duncan branch of the Alexandria Public Library. Marla excelled at every job she ever did. She approached every situation with verve and a sparkling personality. Her smile was magnetic.

In 2006 Marla and Terry moved to Shelburne Falls, MA. Marla and Terry loved living in New England. In the summers they loved swimming in their pool in their backyard. Year round they loved to play Bananagrams. Marla was a fantastic chef. She was also a great artist, making many attractive quilts.

Most of all Marla was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. Family was very important to Marla. She loved her many cousins in Chicago and California

Marla will be greatly missed. Marla is survived by her husband of 26 years, Terry McConnell. She is also survived by Jason and Daniel Reisch. She is also survived by Karin and Alex Purugganan and their five children Moses, Maire, Ella, Declan and Philomena. She is also survived by Melissa Craig and Kyle Craig and Marla’s son Matt McConnell and wife Caroline and children Charlotte, Cameron, Jackson and Kirsten. She is also survived by her sister Linda Kahn and her husband, Chris Gordon; her sister Beth Malichi, Beth’s daughter Naama Ashtamker, her husband Nimrod, and their children Kfir and Maya, Beth’s son Alon, and son Naor and his wife Nofar and daughter, Arbel.

In lieu of flowers please make donations (by check only) to the Arms Library at 60 Bridge St. Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 for the new children’s room.

There will be a memorial service for Marla at 11am on Wednesday July 26 at 119 Elm St., Shelburne Falls (Buckland side).

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Torf Funeral Service
151 Washington Avenue
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-889-2900 / 800-428-7161