Barbara Connolly

Barbara Ann (Flaherty) Connolly passed away Friday, October 17 in Pineville, NC with her family by her side. She was born in 1933, the elder child of Barbara (Davis) and Andrew Flaherty. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved sister Mary Mitchell, and her brother-in-law Joseph Mitchell.

Barbara grew up on Munjoy Hill in Portland and attended Cathedral Grammar School and Cathedral High School where she was President of the Class of 1951. Famously, her sister Mary brought  her handsome classmate, Roger Connolly, home to meet Barbara and the rest was history! They married in 1959, and joyfully shared sixty-six years of marriage.

In 1962 they purchased a home on Walnut Street,  in a family friendly neighborhood where they raised their two children Michael and Maureen.    Frank I. Brown School had the benefit of Barbara’s many hours of dedication,  where Barbara worked to improve both the school library and community library.  She  served as the President of the P. T. A.  As a communicant of Holy Cross Church she  spent time contributing to the parish community.

Barbara worked for eight years at New England Tel and Tel, then worked at two South Portland daycares as her children grew.  She later worked at AAA of New England and then found her ideal positions with the Warren Library and the South Portland Public libraries (the Branch, in particular), where her love of people and books were a perfect match. She was fortunate enough to work with colleagues she adored.

Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Roger of South Portland; her son Michael of Lawrence, MA; her daughter Maureen Connolly and son-in-law John Cunningham of Pineville, NC; her nephews Stephen Mitchell (Christina) of Cumberland Center and Dr. Timothy Mitchell (Denise) of Cape Elizabeth; and her dear cousin, Anne Davis Griffin  (Malcolm) of Bangor. She is survived by her grandchildren, Meghan Cunningham (Michael Takach) of Cape Elizabeth; Patrick Cunningham of NC; and Kathryn Connolly of MA; and her  grand niece and nephews, Dr. Alissa Mitchell, Clancy Mitchell and Andrew Mitchell. Barbara adored her great-grandchildren, Roger & Clara Takach whose smiles brought her great  joy.

Barbara’s deep faith and joy for living was evident to all.   Her daily prayers for family, friends and strangers sustained us .  Barbara had the blessings of many friends including the “club ladies“, the “library ladies”  and members of her prayer groups. She and Roger welcomed everyone to their home where  there was always a cup of tea, plenty of food,  warm hugs, and a laugh or twelve to anyone who crossed their threshold.

Visiting Hours will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Wednesday, October 22 at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Thursday, October 23rd at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland with interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to:

Ronald McDonald House of Maine,  250 Brackett St. Portland, ME  04102 or

the South Portland Food Cupboard,   130 Thadeus Street, South Portland, ME  04106.

Barbara was a faithful volunteer and long time supporter of the Food Cupboard.