GILFORD - Madelyn Bowen Connelly, age 78, of Gilford, passed away gracefully in her home on All Souls' Day, November 2, 2017 surrounded by her cherished children and beloved husband of 60 years.
Molly, as she was affectionately known, was born on April 13, 1939 to Dr. John and Madelyn (Lester) Anderson in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in Buffalo, NY and the University of New Hampshire. She married William Connelly and moved to the Lakes Region to raise their family.
While Molly was a devoted stay-at-home mother, and spent each summer at Gilford Beach with her children, she also tirelessly served her community. She volunteered for numerous organizations including the Nursery Guild, the Gilford Public Library, and the Lakes Region Daycare Center, which she co-founded.
Molly was an educator. She taught catechism at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, childbirth classes to five thousand couples, and parenting classes for thirty years. As a Professor at UNH she taught in the Family Studies Program, and was a renowned therapist and public speaker. In addition to delivering many of her twelve children at home, she helped over a thousand women deliver their babies as a Midwife.
Although she was a world traveler, one of her greatest joys was being right at home, lovingly tending her award-winning gardens. For fun, she formed a book club, held garden parties, annually hosted a motorcycle club during “Bike Week”, and joined the Red Hat Society where she was elected their Queen Mother. She wore her crown well, and she will reign supreme in the hearts of many for all eternity.
She is survived by her husband, William Connelly, her siblings, Jacqueline Nash, Mark and Mary Teresa Neary, Matthew and Debra Neary, Michael Neary, and Mary Neary. She is survived also by her children Sean Connelly of Phoenix, AZ, Brendan and Jane Connelly of Belmont, Timothy Connelly of Gilford, Shelagh Connelly and Marty Riehs of Holderness, Moira Connelly and Paul Warnick of Gilford, Kieran Connelly of NYC, Brian Connelly and Samantha Jewett of Gilford, Kendra Danse of Portland, ME, Liam Connelly of Portland, ME, Maeve Shar of Gilmanton, Deirdre Connelly of Gilford. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Martin Neary, and her son Patrick Connelly.
She is also survived by her grand and great-grandchildren, Brian and Heather Connelly and children Clara, William, and Stella of Bedford, Faolan Connelly of Eliot, ME, Teagan Connelly of Laconia, Parker and Stacy Gokey, Reed Gokey, Kieran Gokey all of Medford, OR, Siobhan Connelly and children Olive and Orion of Meredith, Roxey and John Lay of Plymouth, MA, Ceara Connelly of Gilmanton, Molly, Liam and Liza Riehs all of Holderness, Caitlin and Daniel Cooper and daughter Elouise of Sheffield, MA, Erika and Christina Lynch of Haverhill, MA, Megan Warnick of Croydon, and Casey Warnick of Charleston, SC, Madelyn and Moira Danse of Portland, ME, Kamah Shar of Westbrook, ME, Nayou Shar of Gilford, Rhiannon and Wren Reinholz of Gilmanton, Miles Collette and Seamus Connelly of Gilford.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday November 13, 2017 at 12 Noon at St Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 291 Union Avenue, Laconia NH.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pemi-Baker Community Health Hospice, 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH 03264 or online at
http://www.pemibakercommunityhealth.org/html/donateMem.php?donateType=Memorial
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.