Mary Teresa Connolly

Mary (Maureen) T. Connolly, formerly O’Connell nee Leahy , aged 79, of Leonia New Jersey and Trien Kilmorna Listowel County Kerry Ireland died peacefully on Sunday September 8th 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Predeceased by her parents Timothy & Hannah Leahy, her Sister Margaret(Peggy) Horan and Brother-in-law Brendan Horan & brother Michael Leahy, husband’s Daniel(Danny/Donie) O’Connell(1980) and as of late James(Jim) Connolly(2023), and nephew Billy Leahy.

Mary is survived by her daughters Johannah O’Connell-Neu(Tim) and Teresa Turek(Mike), Grandchildren Daniel, Nicholas and Kierstyn,  brothers Willie Joe(Eileen), Teddy(Margaret), Pat(Mary) & Jerry(Mary), Aunty Phil and many nephews and nieces, cousins and in-laws.

Mary immigrated to the US on October 4, 1964 at age 19.  Mary met Danny & Married in 1968. They resided in Connecticut  where Johannah & Teresa were born and later moved  to Inwood New York where she worked as a deli clerk at Finast.

After the passing of her husband Danny in 1980 Mary thought it best to move to Leonia NJ to be near her sister Peggy & raise her daughters there.  Mary worked at Grand Union in Fort Lee NJ
as a deli clerk for 32 years.  As she was a widow at a young age she had multiple side jobs to provide for herself and her daughters.

Mary then met Jim in the 1990’s along with his children Desmond, Corinne and Patricia.  Jim & Mary were married in 1999 and later retired to the land they both loved….Ireland.  Mary traveled frequently between Ireland and New Jersey to be with family and friends.

Mary loved knitting …..especially with her Knit Wits knitting group and she enjoyed going to the Listowel Community Center. In Leonia you would find her walking everywhere and chatting with everyone she knew.   She was a proud strong Irish Kerry woman and often showed off her Irish jigs, Irish dancing and singing her Irish songs.  She also enjoyed country music, Bingo & word searches.  But most of all she was a very proud Nana to Daniel, Nicholas and Kierstyn who she loved so  much.

The family will receive their friends on Thursday September 12, 2024 at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street “opposite the Fort Lee Library”.  The interment will take place at Ahavoher Cemetery In Knockanure, County Kerry, Ireland.  For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201) 944-0100.

The service information in Ireland is as follows:

Reposing at Finucane’s Funeral Home

Moyvane, County Kerry Ireland V31 K510

Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christ Church

Knockanure, County Kerry Ireland

Dates and time in Ireland to be determined