Obituary of Mary Connell

Mary Carroll Connell, 92, of Zion, Illinois, passed away on June 17, 2022, at Rolling Hills Manor with her family by her side. She was born to Marian and Vincent Conway in Lake Forest, Illinois, on March 5, 1930. She graduated from Wilmette Mallinckrodt High School. She would take the train from Lake Forest to Wilmette and roll down her stockings into her bobby socks to fit the style of the time. She was married to William Parker Connell, the love of her life, in 1949, and they lived in Zion, Illinois, their entire lives. She liked to compare her husband to a young William Holden. She was a founding member of Our Lady of Humility Catholic Church, where she was active in the parish for many years. When Mary was young, her family was forced to live apart with friends, neighbors, and extended family. Creating a home for her family was important, and she did just that. Together Mary and William raised six children. She also enjoyed baking, cooking, knitting, spending time in the garden with her German Shepherds, and drinking a hot cup of tea in the morning. More than anything, though, she enjoyed gathering with her children and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, to laugh and tell stories. Her cousins were like siblings to her. Her family was her greatest joy. When Mary was in high school, she and her girlfriends went to see Frank Sinatra in Chicago. After the show was over, she and her girlfriends hid in the bathroom so they could attend his second show. She loved music. On July 23, 2009, Mary, with her beloved brother Miles, attended Mark Buehrle’s perfect game. She declared that she would never return to the White Sox ballpark again. She wanted to end on a high note. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, William; her son, John; her siblings, Miles and Catherine Ann; and her son-in-law, Randy Poore. Mary is survived by her brother John Conway (Vera); her children, Leslie Nottage (Edward); Mary Colette Poore; William Connell; Douglas (Kristi); and James (Laure); daughter-in-law Lynn Connell; her grandchildren Christopher, Mary Caitlin, Conor, Kathleen, Caroline, and Lily; and her great grandson, Noah. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd, 10:30 AM at St.Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Illinois, 121 East Maple Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Chicago, 2211 N.Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60707.