Marie Francis Connolly, born Marie Francis Mula on June 28, 1936, in Quincy Massachusetts passed away on March 24, 2024, at the age of 87 in Concord, New Hampshire. She is survived by her daughter Colleen Connolly, grandson Ian Giuda, sisters Joreen Benbenek and Janice Leaman, her nieces, Cindy Leaman and Lauren Hollen, her nephew Brandon Benbenek, and her great nephew Marc Allan Patrick. Marie was preceded in death by her mother and father, Edith and Joseph Mula.
As a child growing up in Quincy, Marie became an accomplished piano player, winning a contest at the age of 12, which led to being featured in the local newspaper. Marie attended Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts, excelling in all her studies and extracurricular activities, including becoming what was known as the “Head of the Blues” the head majorette for the school, leading the marching band with her high thrown twirling. Upon graduation, utilizing her premier secretarial and managerial skills, she worked as an Executive Secretary for a bank in Boston, taking the train from Quincy to Boston every day. She continued her career on the South Shore, working as a private secretary for Walworth Company in Canton and DeMatteo Construction Company in Braintree.
Marie’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family, and she was a devoted and loving grandmother, mother, sister and aunt and she especially enjoyed trips to Disney World with her family. In retirement she loved going to the casinos and as a very strategic and focused player, she rarely came home without winning.
In her very active later years, she resided at the Hanover Legion Senior Housing, relishing decorating her sunny corner apartment and all the activities and friendships she made there. Over the past few months while living with her daughter in Pittsfield, N.H. she enjoyed spending time playing bingo and lunching with new friends at the Pittsfield N.H. Senior Center.
Family and friends are invited to attend Marie’s visiting hours Wednesday, April 3 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 4 at 10:00 AM in the funeral chapel, with a burial to follow at Colebrook cemetery, Whitman.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pittsfield Senior Center, 55 Barnstead Rd. Pittsfield, N.H.