Margaret Irene Donnelly

PORTLAND - Margaret Irene Donnelly, 100, of State Street, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at her residence. She was born June 14, 1912, in Portland, a daughter of Patrick and Delia (Conley) Malia. She attended Cathedral Grammar School and graduated from Cathedral High School, class of 1931. She married William H. Donnelly in 1933, and together raised eight children in the Portland area. She was a homemaker and also worked for W. T. Grant for 13 years. Margaret had a practical and humorous approach to life which focused on family, faith, education, and work. She enjoyed daytrips, attending Broadway musicals, and playing beano and rummy. A highlight of her travels was a trip to Ireland with all her children to visit Connemara, her parent's birthplace. She was a member of the Cathedral High School and Grammar School Mothers' Club, a Catherine McAuley Alumnus, and a volunteer for the 100 State Street Co-op. She is predeceased by her husband who died March 2, 1977; a sister, Anna Horr; and three brothers, Francis, William, and Martin Malia. She is survived by seven daughters; Ann Cobb and her husband John of Gray, Kathleen Record and her husband Richard of Portland, Jane Rogan and her husband James of Westbrook, Lorraine Rava and her husband Jean of Malden, Massachusetts, Francine Bowden and her husband William of Poland, Margaret Johnson and her husband Chester, of Sharon, Massachusetts, and Dianne Doyle and her husband John of Falmouth; a son, Robert J. Donnelly and his wife Sandra of Windham and Tarpon Springs, Florida; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank St. Joseph's Rehab and Residence Center and the staff and residents of 100 State Street for their professionalism and loving care provided to Margaret. Visiting hours will be held 4:00 - 7:00 pm, today, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited 9:15 am, Friday, at the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Memorial donations may be made to Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME 04103, or the 100 State Street Activities Fund, c/o Anne Thaxter, 100 State Street, Portland, ME 04101.Online condolences may be expressed below.