Lenore Connery

HOUSTON, Minn. -- Lenore Connery, 93, of Houston died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab.Lenore was born Jan. 15, 1921, in Chicago to Fredrick and Martha (Voelkel) Hickey. She lost her mother as a young girl and moved to Elgin, Ill., with her younger brother to live with an aunt and uncle. Lenore graduated from Elgin High School in 1938. She was married at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Elgin, Nov. 11, 1941, to Ray Connery. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before Ray's death in 2007.While raising her children in the Elgin area, Lenore was active in her church and local politics. She worked in accounting at Elgin Fruit and Produce. Her husband's career required enjoyable moves to Oologah, Okla., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Chicago. Houston became their home upon retirement.Lenore had a lifelong love of reading, solving crossword puzzles, being a fan of the Chicago Bears, White Sox and Bulls. She loved to travel and was an early adventurer on Route 66.Lenore is survived by her son, Laurence (Judy) Connery of Houston; a daughter, Kathleen (William) Webb of Oconomowoc, Wis.; daughter-in-law, Debborah Connery of Rochester Hills, Mich.; brother-in-law, Monty Connery of Vacaville, Calif.; four grandchildren, Patricia (Joel Meier), Shawn, Brendan and Devin; three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Trevor and Georgia; and many loved nieces, nephews and dear friends.She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Gerald Hickey; one sister, Mollie Bennett; one son, Robert; and Art Conro who benefited from her motherly love as a foster son.Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Houston, with the Rev. Pratap Reddy Salibindla officiating. Friends may call at the church from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday with a rosary service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse. The family suggests memorials to St. Mary's Church, Houston Area Cancer Support, Gundersen Children's Miracle Network or a charity of the donor's choice.The family gives a heartfelt thank you to all the special people at Valley View Rehab for their part in caring for a beautiful lady.