Mary Ann Connelly

Mary Ann Connelly, age 89, of St. Charles passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on April 15, 2024.

Mary Ann Kramer was born on April 18, 1934, to Carl and Irene (Lett) Kramer. Her father was a farmer and her mother a homemaker. She attended country school until the 8^th grade and graduated from St. Charles High School in 1952. On October 25, 1958, she married the love of her life, Gerald Connelly in Elba. She worked beside her husband in all aspects of the farming operation. She loved all animals, beef cattle, dairy cattle, geese and chickens. She greatly enjoyed bird watching and her beloved black lab, Lady.

At a young age she learned to bake and cook for the threshing crews. She was known for her Granny Smith apple pies. Mary had a passion for gardening, growing vegetables, canning and freezing and then eating them. She loved to travel, and her favorite destination was Hawaii and the North Shore. She also liked weekend road trips. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was a long-standing member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Elba and then a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She was a devoted Catholic and prayed the rosary each day. She was in 4-H as a leader, Catholic Daughters and Homemakers. Mary was an avid walker.

Mary enjoyed everyone she met. They would begin as strangers and always part as friends.

Mary is survived by her children: Patrick Connelly, Theresa (Bill) Patterson, Margaret Connelly, Tim (Angie) Connelly, William (Diane) Connelly, Charles (Karen) Connelly, James Connelly and Jane Connelly. She is further survived by 10 grandchildren and one brother Joseph (Romelle) Kramer.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Gerald on May 7, 2005.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Monday, April 22, 2024, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Reverend Jonathan Fasnacht officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 3-6 p.m. at the Hoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service - St. Charles and one hour prior to Mass at church.

Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Lanesboro. Pallbearers will be Mary’s eight children.