Mary Ruth (Spain) Connolly 1920-2011

CONNOLLY, SPAIN, SULLIVAN, MERGES, MCDONALD

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/18/2015 at 13:55:32

Mary Ruth Connolly, 91, of Luther Manor, formerly of Bernard, Iowa, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Luther Manor.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at Holy Family Church New Melleray, with the Rev. Xavier Dieter, OSCO officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, where there will be a wake service at 3 p.m.

She was born on Feb. 4, 1920, in Charlotte, Iowa, daughter of Walter and Catherine (Sullivan) Spain. She married John Connolly in 1946 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Preston, Iowa; he preceded her in death in 1998.

Mary graduated from Mount Saint Claire College in Clinton, Iowa, and became a teacher. She taught at several country schools in the area and later did substitute teaching for the West Dubuque School District.

She was a member of Holy Family parish and the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of America.

Mary was a great cook and "the kitchen was always open" with her trademark cookies. Her grandchildren were also very special to her and she loved her family events and holidays.

Surviving are her four children, Jane (Francis) Merges, of Peosta, Iowa, Ruth Kae McDonald, of Prescott, Ariz., John (Janet) Connolly and Jim (Tammy) Connolly, both of Bernard; 11 grandchildren, Pat, Kelly, Lori, Julie, Tom, Tim, Jenna, Abby, Olivia, Joe and Katie; three great-grandchildren, Bryce, Sydney and Sophie; a brother and sister-in-law, Maurice "Bubbie" and Joan Connolly, of Bernard; a sister-in-law, Ann Connolly, of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Neil and Cy; and a son-in-law, Phil McDonald.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Luther Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for all the loving care they gave to Mary.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Tuesday, January 3, 2012