Obituary of Rita Jane Connelly

Rita Jane (Gorman) Connelly, formerly of South Glastonbury, CT, beloved wife of William F. Connelly, Sr. passed away peacefully on November 2, 2016 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Plymouth Massachusetts. She was 91 years old and was born December 9, 1924 in Hartford, Ct. Daughter of the late Beatrice and William Gorman, Rita lived in the Hartford area until she was in fourth grade. After losing her parents at age ten, she lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and later Hartford, Connecticut. While in Carlisle, she was known for perfectly reciting the Gettysburg Address on public July 4th celebrations. She was a devoted sister to her loving and supportive brother, Donald Gorman, who, in due time, introduced Rita and Bill to one another. Rita and Bill were married on June 16, 1945 and celebrated 71 years of marriage in 2016. In 1960, Rita and Bill moved to South Glastonbury, CT where she became a teacher’s aide, created and operated her own silk-flower design business, and found her calling as a respected real estate agent. Rita is best known in Glastonbury as a highly successful real estate agent, winning the Greater Hartford area “Top Real Estate Agent” award ten years in a row. Rita and Bill were faithful members of St. Augustine Catholic Church. Rita was a proud and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Rita was a beloved sister-in-law and aunt to her extended family. Always known for her kindness, delightful sense of humor and sense of style, Rita was well-loved by all. She had a heart bigger than life itself. She was a fast friend to all and she never met a stranger. Her laughter and Irish gift of gab were infectious. She was a people-person and loved to play, sing, and help others. Rita lived most of her life in South Glastonbury, CT, but also spent considerable time with her husband Bill and the family at their vacation home in Wellfleet, MA on Cape Cod. Rita and Bill also enjoyed traveling within the United States and abroad over the years. Besides her husband Bill, Rita leaves her children Stephen W. Connelly and his wife Patricia Cronin of Plymouth, MA; Kathleen. A. Connelly of Wellington, FL and Concord, MA; and William F. Connelly, Jr. and his wife Rebecca of Lexington, VA. She also leaves her grandchildren Brian Connelly, Benjamin Connelly, Caroline Connelly, Meghan Fazenbaker and her husband Dave and great grandchildren Emma and William Fazenbaker. She also leaves her step-grandsons Mark Golden Jr., Peter Golden and their families. She leaves her sisters-in-law Mary Gorman and Mary Connelly and many beloved nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 55 Hopewell Rd., South Glastonbury on Monday December 26 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360. For online condolences please visit www.mulryan.com.