Grace Mary Connell – of Hyde Park and Rocky Nook, Kingston, MA, passed into eternal life on August 2, 2023, at the age of 97, in the presence of her family.
Grace was a thoughtful, considerate and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, neighbor, and best friend. She showered love and encouragement on everyone she knew. Always with a kind word or humorous response, she had a brilliant smile and warm disposition. Caring and sincere to everyone she met, loved by so many, especially her family and the countless children and grandchildren of her dearly departed friends. She carried on as the matriarch for many.
Born on October 23, 1925, in Newark, NJ, Grace was adopted by Mary Littlefield in 1928, and grew up in Dorchester and Hyde Park. She was raised by Mary and then her daughter Mary “Toose” Littlefield-Devlin who raised her as her own daughter along with her own children. Virginia Devlin, Louise Kenney, Johnny Devlin and Jeananne Lanzillo. Louise (Aunt Lou) was her best friend.
Grace is pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 47 years, George Herbert (Handsome Herbie) Connell and her eldest son David Michael Connell. She now rests in peace with her family and friends.
Herb and Grace were married on July 4, 1946, in Hyde Park where they build a house and raised their six children. Grace worked as a teller at the Bank of Boston for many years.
Grace is survived by her children Mark Connell, Susan Connell, Grace A. Connell, Amy Beth Connell and her partner Joseph Croshier, and Daniel Connell and his wife Clare McLaughlin-Connell.
Grace’s family was most important to her, and she made every effort to provide for them, and especially in her later years as a grandmother. Matthew Connell, Ragnhild Ask Connell, Christopher Rizzo and his wife Karly, Daniel Connell and Aidan Connell were the center of her world. As a great-grandmother she adored being GiGi for Grace Rizzo, Camille Rizzo, Emma Connell, Lucas Connell, and Alex Connell. Grace had a loving relationship with Jimmy Lawler (deceased) of Franklin for several years.
Grace and her family enjoyed decades of summers in their cottage in Rocky Nook, purchased in 1965. She loved the beach. She was present at so many family and friend’s events offering endless help and gracious attention to all. She was a talented quilter, could sew and repair clothing and anything made with fabric, a versatile amateur artist, and was known far and wide for her delicious holiday candy.
Grace was a devout Catholic; she attended St. Mary’s Church in Dedham and St. Mary’s Church in North Plymouth.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. Dedham on Monday, August 7, from 4-8pm followed by a funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 8, at 10:30am in St Mary’s of the Assumption Church, 420 High St., Dedham, officiated by Fr. Wayne Belschner who called her Momma. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne on Tuesday, August 8, at 2pm.
A heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful hospice nurses and doctors at the Brigham and Women's Hospital who cared for her so lovingly.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Grace’s memory to Hope Health Hospice at hopehealthco.org/inmemory or Semper Fi & America’s Fund at thefund.org/donate.