Marian Patrice Connolly, 83, was born Feb. 6, 1935, and passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.
Marian lived a peaceful life, with a strong sense of style and flair. She was a fiercely independent woman, who made her own path in life.
Marian was born in Queens, New York, to Thomas and Marion (nee Jantzen) Connolly.
She graduated with many of her lifelong friends from Dominican Academy in Manhattan, New York. From there, Marian went on to become Sister Mary Joseph O.P., a Catholic Dominican Sister, and graduated in 1958 from the College of St. Mary’s of the Springs in Ohio with a B.A. in English. She then taught at Catholic schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until she was transferred to St. Augustine’s in Ossining, New York, in 1962. Marian left the Order shortly thereafter and became a teacher at Glen Cove, Lone Island, schools, which became her true life’s work.
She was a famously strong and beloved teacher in the district from September 1962 until her retirement in June 1992. She received her Master’s in Education from St. John’s University in 1971. She taught the elementary grades 2nd through 4th, but really loved teaching at the middle school. Her teaching impacted over three decades of children, creating a joy of learning and sharing her own joie de vivre.
After retiring, Marian moved to Hampstead, where she made new, lifelong friends. She was someone you wanted in your corner, and if you had her on board, you knew you could always count on her. She became a volunteer child advocate, speaking up for the children who had no voice to back them, a role her life experience had well prepared her for.
Marian had a strong sense of style, a packed closet and loved a truly coordinated outfit. She also loved nothing more than getting her hair done at Nathalies and doing anything with the Hampstead Ladies. She was a born leader, organizing world travels to China and Europe, but she loved her trips to Ireland most of all. Amongst her Irish relatives, she found other kindred, red-haired, strong-willed teachers.
Marian left this world as peacefully as she lived, our wise and beloved counsel. She leaves behind many friends and innumerable memories and has now joined those friends who have gone before her.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 18, at All Saints Catholic Church, Hampstead.
In lieu of flowers, please wear your best outfit and have lunch with a good friend or two.
Share online condolences with the family at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
