Barbara A. (Hughes) Connell, a longtime resident of Stoneham and formerly of Charlestown, passed into eternal life on Monday, July 20, 2020 at The Arbors in Stoneham. She was 80 years old.
Barbara was born in her family home in Charlestown on April 18,1940, the youngest of eight children of the late Joseph H. Hughes and Josephine F. (McCLoud) Hughes. She attended St. Francis de Sales Elementary School in Charlestown and Mount Trinity High School in Watertown. After graduating high school, Barbara became a Dominican Nun, living in Chicago and Kentucky where she pursued her passion of teaching. After leaving the convent, Barbara returned home to Charlestown where she met her husband Bill Connell and raised their four children. Barbara spent years volunteering at her alma mater St. Francis and later returned to teaching English and Religion at Cheverus Elementary School in Malden until she retired in 2006. Over the years she touched the lives of hundreds of students, many who still claim her as their favorite teacher.
A bright, fiercely loyal woman with a wonderful sense of humor, Barbara was a treasured family member and friend. Barbara was the beloved wife of the late William “Officer Bill” Connell. She is the loving mother of William Connell and his wife Cornelia of Stoneham, MA; Lisa Connell and her husband Michael of Reading, MA; Michael Connell and his wife Elizabeth of Rochester, NY; and Stephen Connell and his wife Jodie of Minot, North Dakota. She is the loving nana of Catie, Will, Grace, Danny, Josie, Jack, William, Aryanna, Gabby, Emily and the great-grandmother of four. She was the beloved sister of the late Veronica Grill, Theresa Keating, Mary Aspell, Joseph, John, Richard and James Hughes. She was the beloved aunt of many loving nieces and nephews.
Barbara’s Funeral Services and burial will be private.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to The Arbors and Care Dimensions for their love and care of Barbara over the years.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Barbara's name to:
Care Dimensions
75 Sylvan Street, B-102
Danvers, MA 01923