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CONNEELY, Mary Frances (Gaffney), 92 years old of West Roxbury, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 19, 2026.
Born in County West Meath, Ireland, she came to Boston as a young woman to continue her career in nursing. For 25 years she was employed as an RN at Brigham and Womens Hospital. In Boston, she also met her husband, Martin, who has predeceased her. They were married for 48 years and made their home in West Roxbury. Mary built a close network of friends in Boston; many were nurses that had also emigrated from Ireland. They would be her family in America for the following 40 years.
Family was at the heart of her life. She was adored by her daughter Mary Monica Prata and her son Michael Thomas Conneely, her son-in-law Paul Prata, daughter-in-law Laurie (Meacham) Conneely. Mary was especially proud of her grandchildren who called her MeMe, Anthony, Ryan, Kevin, and Thomas Prata. She was also delighted to welcome into the family Ryan’s fiancée, Sydney DeJoie.
Maimie (as she was called by her family) cherished her siblings and extended family in Ireland and Canada, as well as the many friends, neighbors, and members of her community. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Theresa’s Church for more than 50 years. She also enjoyed the Irish Social Club and the Irish Pastoral Center. She was a founding member of the Evening Garden Club of West Roxbury, where she shared her love of gardening.
Mary will be fondly remembered for her gentle spirit, generosity, strong faith, unwavering devotion to her family, deep pride in her Irish heritage, and love of animals. Her kindness, strength, and loving presence will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Visiting Hours at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury on Thursday, August 27th from 3-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Friday, August 28th at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Theresa Church at 10am. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Anthony’s Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110, or online at stanthonyshrine.org/giving. Donations will support the Shrine’s charitable ministries serving those in need.