Obituary of Cecelia Connolly
Those wishing to view the Funeral Mass for Mary Cecelia Connolly, please CLICK HERE
Mary Cecelia Doyle Connolly (nee Toohey)
Surrounded by the love of her family at Parkwood Institute (Palliative Care), Cecelia Connolly passed peacefully into eternal life, on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, in her 94th year.
Beloved wife of the late Michael Connolly (1985). Cherished mother of the late Mary Anne Marrone (2020), the late Patrick (Brenda) Doyle (2012), Theresa (Don) Russelo, Pauline (Tony) Merucci, Peter (Terry) Doyle, and Loretta Girard. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Jason (Stephanie) Marrone, Sarah (John) Marrone, Reid (Jenn) Doyle, Kelly (Sean) Doyle, Shawna (Steve) Doyle, Michelle (Greg) Shillington, Jaclyn (Scott) Russelo, Kim (Dean) Van Raay, Jamie (Sarah) Antonucci, Danielle (Peter) Girard, and Melissa (John) Girard. She held a special place in her heart for her great-grandchildren Weston Clarke, Taylor, Kenzie and Patrick Doyle, Quinn and Caleb Poulter, Harrison and Remy (2023) Jose, Connor and Rory Shillington, Riley (Jake) Locke and Ethan (Kate) Locke, Ethan, Aiden and Austin Pepper-Hodgson, James Antonucci, and Melody, Aila, Winston and Alaska Milne.
Cecelia is also missed by Michael Connolly’s family, Maureen (Don) Cole, Patrick (Stephanie) Connolly, the late Murray (Alison) Connolly, Eileen (Dave) Wise, and eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Dear sister of John Toohey of Elgin, Ontario. Predeceased by her sister Patricia (2022) and brother-in-law Joseph Grace (2013), brother Paul (2019) and sister-in-law Bev Toohey (2017). She is predeceased by her parents Patrick and Laura (Whelihan) Toohey.
Cecelia married Gerard Doyle in 1952, and they were blessed with six children within six years. Cecelia raised her family, as a single parent, remaining true to her strong faith and values. She met Michael Connolly many years later, marrying in 1983. They had a very short, but loving marriage.
She graduated from the London Normal School teaching college in 1948. Her first teaching job was at a one-room schoolhouse, teaching grades 1-8, in Corunna, Ontario. She taught grade two at St. Bernadette’s, St. Mary’s, and lastly at St. Joseph’s Elementary school, retiring in 1983 to marry Michael. Over the years, we often ran into former students who remembered “Mrs. Doyle” fondly, speaking so highly of her as one of their favorite teachers.
In retirement, she enjoyed her receptionist roles at the St. Peter’s Basilica offices, and for a short time, at the Evans and Logans Funeral Homes.
Cecelia will be missed by her extended family and many dear friends. She had several life-long friends, continuing to make new friends at every stage of her life. Even when she did not have much for herself, Cecelia would share with anyone in need. She was generous in spirit, loyal, and kind. True to her nurturing nature, she supported new Canadians by tutoring them in English as a second language, sharing her talents and teaching supplies. She also allowed use of her garage as a short-term storage to keep household items and furniture donated through a charity managed by Sr. Maria Consuela. Many, many new immigrants benefitted from her kindnesses in so many ways.
Cecelia’s riches in life were the blessings shown through her actions, words, and deeds, and the love reciprocated. Her kind-heartedness towards others inspired many of those she met in her life to be and do better. Her faith was unshakeable, supporting her through the hardships life set in her path. During the isolating days of COVID, her connections to the Church were mostly through Divine Mercy group, of which she was a loyal, committed member.
Thank you to Dr. Marko Mrkobrada and those who provided care at University Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Badawi and the very compassionate caregivers at Parkwood Institute.
Visitors will be received at the John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Tuesday, December 26 from 2 – 5 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish, 777 Valetta Street, on Wednesday, December 27 at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent de Paul, the London Food Bank, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
