Mary T. Connolly
Longtime Tewksbury Resident
TEWKSBURY: Mary T. (Hughes) Connolly, age 85, a resident of Tewksbury for 58 years, passed away at home, with her family by her side, on Thursday, October 4, 2012.
She was the beloved wife of 47 years to Francis M. "Frank" Connolly, who passed away on January 10, 1995.
Born in Cambridge on October 5, 1926, she was the daughter of the late James F. Hughes and the late Margaret (McCarthy) Hughes.
Mary was raised in Cambridge, and attended St. Mary of the Annunciation Parochial Grammar and High School.
She resided in Cambridge until moving to Tewksbury in 1954.
Mary was a communicant of Saint William's Parish in Tewksbury, where she was a member of the Ladies Sodality. In addition, she performed in numerous minstrel shows presented by the Friends of Saint Williams Church.
Mary's many passions included reading, traveling throughout the country to visit her grandchildren, visiting Pompano Beach, Florida each spring, and let's not forget the ice-cream.
She enjoyed nothing more than spending summers in York, Maine with her children, grandchildren, and many friends.
Mary was known for her wisdom and faith, shoot-from-the-hip honesty, love for life, and great spunk!
Everywhere she went she made life-long friendships.
Mary's children will dearly miss her generosity, her guidance, and her unconditional love.
Mary 's family includes her children, Marilynne Hedstrom and her husband Dr. David Hedstrom of Greenfield, NH, the late Jay Connolly and his partner Paul Costantino of Tewksbury, Carol Ann Carroll and her husband David of Ipswich, Susan Connolly-Travis and her husband Bob of Bettendorf, IA, Kevin Connolly and his wife Patricia of Acton, MA, Patricia Connolly-Zook and her husband Eric of Camarillo, CA, and Bridget Connolly-Creamer and her husband Marc of Lowell; thirteen grandchildren, Garrett, Brien, and Alex Hedstrom, Brett and Matthew Carroll, Jane and Mark Travis, Shannon and Cameron Connolly, Sarah and Rachel Zook, Shelby and Casey Creamer; two great grandchildren, Devin and Saphera Carroll; three brothers, James F. Hughes, Jr. and his wife Caroline of Oceanside, NY, Donald Hughes and his wife Agnes of Greensboro, NC, and Kevin Hughes and his wife Diane of Buffalo Grove, IL; three sisters, Barbara Fay and her husband John of Medford, Eileen Labrecque and her husband Robert of Peabody and the late Geraldine Kluge; also many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., in St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Oblate Residence, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 or to the Salvation Army, 150 Appleton St., Lowell, MA 01852.