Katherine Connolly
December 1, 1930 ~ April 29, 2015
Portland- Katherine L. Connolly, 84, of Portland died peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Gosnell Hospice House with her loving family by her side. Katherine was born in Westbrook, Maine on December 1, 1930 the daughter of the late Everett and Etta Mae Johnson Smith. On June 20, 1951, Katherine married Francis G. Connolly at St. Marys Catholic Church in Westbrook. Together they made their home and raised their family in Portland. When not busy raising their ten children, Katherine and Francis loved to dance to the music of the Big Bands. They would travel to all the dances and won several competitions. She was responsible for not only making Easter dresses for all of her daughters, but she also made several wedding dresses. She was an avid knitter making hats, mittens, afghans and Irish sweaters. Katherine was an excellent cook, enjoyed camping with the family at Lakeside Pines in Bridgton, reupholstering furniture and was never afraid to take on a project. Every other Tuesday was spent with the Club Ladies for coffee and dessert and she enjoyed traveling to Ireland on many vacations. Katherine was a longtime communicant of St. Patricks Church and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. She was predeceased by her husband Francis G. Connolly on January 25, 1995; a son Richard M. Connolly; 3 sisters Dorothy Smith, Patricia Warren and Wilma Springer; 3 brothers Everett Smith Jr., Robert Smith and James Smith. She is survived by 8 daughters Mary K. and Jeff Reutlinger of Windham, Theresa M. and John Carter of Portland, Rita C. and Jeffrey Bayer of Windham, Patricia C. and Kent Jarrell of Maryland, Sara E. and Fred Bragdon Jr. of Wiscasset, Ruth E. and James Earley of Westbrook, Rosemary C. and Charles Huntington of Newcastle and Margaret A. Connolly-Watson and Royal Watson of Windham; one son James F. Connolly of Portland; a sister Barbara Bruns of Lewiston; 2 brothers Richard Smith of Florida and Paul and Sharon Smith of Cornish; fifteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Prayers will be recited at 12:15pm on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the funeral home followed by a 1:00pm Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com Those who wish may make contributions in Katherines memory to: Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1 STE 1, Scarborough, ME 04074
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My prayers and thoughts are with you all . I think back to all the good times we had on Whitney Ave , I remember coming up to the house before school ,and you’re mom and dad both greeting me first thing in the morning . Your family was really the first cousins i got to know ,most i still stay in touch with . God Bless You All …Kassie, rest in peace
– Michele Lane
Great picture of him!
– dawnglover@charter.net
My heart goes out to my cousins and for my father. This loss has hit him pretty hard. I feel some comfort knowing Aunt Kassie is smiling down on us.
– Katrina Lowell
Grammy will always have a large piece of my heart, being the first grandchild I shared many special memories at Whitney Ave in Portland, Maine. I remember the days spent at Lake Side Pines, eating her many “chowdah’s”, celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving and other special occasions. Grammy was all about family, I got a unique opportunity to stay with her when I went to college also, and share some time together. My mom, my uncle, and my aunts, cousins will be in my prayers, even thought I will not be able to attend funeral service and burial, my thoughts are with you all. Hope to see you all soon. God Bless.
– Joseph Bragdon
What a beautiful couple.
– dawnglover@charter.net
Fond memories are what we have to remember of our beloved Aunt Kassie. May the love of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, our most heartfelt condolences. With love, Lisa, Bill, Brandon and Shannon O’Dell
– Lisa O’Dell (Corbin)
To the Connolly Family-I used to love to come to your house. Your mom was always busy cooking and doing crafts. I found a book in my mom’s knitting books with a note on it from your mom thank ing her for lending it to her. Maybe they will have knitting circles together. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers
– Maryanne Brown Connolly
I so loved Aunt Kassie and her wit and laugh!! She will truly be missed but was a treasure while with us!!! My prayers, thoughts and love to the entire family. My dad has taken this a little harder than I thought he would, but then again, he was close to his two remaining sisters!!
– Dawn Martell
Great picture! We thank them all for there service @ sacrifice!
– dawnglover@charter.net
With deepest sympathy on the death of your mother Kassie, we were very sorry to hear of her passing. We enjoyed her many visits to Ballyshannon and always looked forward to seeing her. Love Daniel and Isobel Fox, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
– Daniel and Isobel Fox
Loved his sweet smile & him!
– dawnglover@charter.net
Deepest sympathy to all the family on the death of dear kassie. May she rest in peace. We will miss her. Love angela and noel bannigan.
– angela and noel bannigan
Deepest sympathy to all her family.We fondly remember her visits to Ballyshannon with Francis .
– Tommy and Kathleen mc fadden,Ballyshannon,Co.Donegal,Ireland.
I just read of Cass’s passing today. I felt so sad to know that we have lost another of the wonderful Club Girls. I knew that her health was failing, but I still hate to hear of their departure.Cass was always so wonderful, friendly to us Fox kids during Club night and all the weddings. gatherings we attended. Always smiling !I will miss her. My mother Mary Fox will be so happy to see her again.I am sorry for your loss.You had a WONDERFUL woman for a mother. So did I.Good-bye, Cass Connolly. I always liked you.- Jeanne
– Jeanne (Fox) Kempers
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Sara and I had many good times together in the company of your lovely mother. I can remember her driving us to and from Highland Lake or to other outings. We had a wonderful time at a Ceili several years ago at RiRa’s. A beautiful woman..may she rest in peace.Love,Maureen
– Maureen Foley-Bolling
Please allow me to express my condolences for Mrs. Katherine Connolly, to her family whom Mrs. Connolly, as a Christian mother, adored, and now Mrs. Connolly is with her deeply missed consort, Mr. Francis Connolly, in their connubial place called Heaven. Sacred to Mrs. Connolly’s memory, a gracious lady is unforgettable. I will thank her in prayers for ginger bread and whipped cream, memory of the Connolly homestead. Thank you. Sincerely,Russell Grant Leach
– Russell Grant Leach
We were all very sad to hear the sad news of kassie’s passing. Our thoughts are with all the family. Rest in peace. Love margaret and the fox family. X
– margaret fox
We were very sorry to hear of dear Kassie passing she was such a lady we had some fun times with her in the Abbey may she rest in peace will always remember her with fun and laughter
– Patricia and Des Brennan
So very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
– Carolyn DuEst
Deepest sympathy to all the family on the death of dear kassie. We will miss her. Love angela and noel bannigan x
– angela bannigan
So sweet of a memory!
– dawnglover@charter.net
So sweet of a memory!
– dawnglover@charter.net
Offering all the Connolly family our deepest sympathy on the death of Cassie. She was a gentle soul with a kind, compassionate heart. We remember her trips to London and Ballyshannon with Frank and various daughters and the newsy letters for Christmas. May she rest in peace.
– Catherine and Fiona Fox
Our deepest sympathies to Sara and Megan Bragdon and to the Connolly family, Remember the memories,,
– Montfort & Jackie Chasse
Sweet are these memories!
– dawnglover@charter.net