WORCESTER- Elizabeth J. (Fitzgerald) Connell of Worcester, formerly of Sturbridge and Lexington MA, passed away peacefully at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home on February 26th at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, James J. Connell, who died in 2007, her parents John G. and Helen (Rooney) Fitzgerald, her brother Jack J. Fitzgerald, and her sisters, Helen E. Fitzgerald, Dorothy F. Brentlinger and Joan F. Henley.
She leaves her beloved children; James P. Connell and his wife Diane Connell of Cincinnati, OH, Ann C. Bergin and her husband Peter F. Bergin of Amherst, NH, Gerald M. Connell and his wife Margaret A. Connell of Plainfield, MA, Brian J. Connell, Esq., and his wife Anne Brescia of Medford, MA., Celine C. Lasonde and her husband James M. Lasonde of East Longmeadow MA, and Elizabeth H. (Betsy) Connell and her husband Kenneth Dicks of Worcester.
Elizabeth was the deeply loved and cherished grandmother to her 12 grandchildren: James P. Connell II, of West Chester, OH, Caitlin D. Bergin of Washington, DC, Courtney C. Bergin of Oakland, CA, Erika C. Cooper of DePere, WI, Andrew S. Connell of Williamsburg, MA, Molli B. Connell of Chicago, IL, William Hayden of Waldorf, MD, Anthony G. Brescia-Connell of Medford, MA, Brian F. Lasonde of East Longmeadow, MA, Jared M. Lasonde of East Longmeadow, MA, Brendan A. Jaffe of Quincy, and Worcester, MA, Christopher J. Dicks of Washington DC and Worcester, MA; and her 5 great grandchildren: Caitlin, Colin, Claire and Connor Connell of West Chester, OH and Greta A. Cooper of DePere, WI.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Lexington Massachusetts. Her love of geology, literature and poetry were passions she pursued her entire life. She published her first book, “Poems 1”, at the age of 91. Her lifelong devotion to learning and her never-ending quest to expand her knowledge inspired her family and all who were privileged to know her. Her compassion, intellect, wit and wisdom will be profoundly missed by all who knew her, most especially, her family.
Elizabeth’s family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers of Rose Monahan Hospice Home for the loving care and comfort they provided; Dr. Edward Driscoll and his staff for their dedication and support; and Dr. Theo E. Meyer of the Heart Clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center, and all his colleagues, for the extraordinary care and compassion provided to Elizabeth, and, to her family.
Calling hours will be held, Wednesday, March 2nd from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA. Her memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 3rd at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow the Memorial Service at St. Thomas Cemetery, West Springfield, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4460 Lakeforest Drive, Cincinnati, OH. 45242.