Obituary for Ann Connolly

Ann Therese Connolly, age 82, passed away surrounded by love from her family on March 13th, 2021. Ann found peace at her home in the Dove Mountain Community.

Ann was born and grew up in Chicago IL. Ann met her husband Walt while attending Loyola University and they recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. They lived in Illinois for 19 years before moving to Arizona where they spent the next 30 years. Ann received her undergraduate teaching degree from Loyola and her Master’s in Education from the University of Arizona. As a Math Professor Ann found one of her passions in working with high school students. She was also an incredible abstract artist and talented writer, penning a popular column “Ann’s Thoughts” for the local paper. Ann was a fierce proponent of being forthright and never hesitated to share her opinion with you. She had an amazing sense of humor and when her health began to fail, her nurses were fast to praise how kind and funny she was. She was devoted to her family and passed down a love of reading, black jellybeans, Hallmark Movies, shopping, Wheel of Fortune, cards, entertaining, casinos, traveling and all things Christmas. Her commitment to her family was unwavering and she embodied the truth that family means you will love and be loved for the entirety of your life. She will be deeply missed.

Preceded in death by her parents Eulalia and Charles, her brother Charles, her Aunt and Uncle Helen and Larry Hackenbrock and her Aunt, Theresa Davis. She is survived by her loving spouse Walt, children Ann-Marie (Dennis), Rose, Marianne, Julie (Jason), Chuck, her ten grandchildren Chanele, Hanna, Ella, Connor, Nina, Claire, Charlie, Liam, Mae and Ronan and her three great grandchildren, Kii, Kahmari and Dess.

Funeral mass will take place at St. Mark Catholic Church in Oro Valley Saturday, May 1st at 10 A.M. A celebration of life reception will be held at Oro Valley Country Club for family and friends at 11:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in Ann’s name be made to The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. https://www.communityfoodbank.org/

“Fortify me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit and give Your peace to my soul that I may be free from all needless anxiety and worry. Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to You so that Your will may be my will. Amen.”

St Francis Xavier Cabrini