Obituary of Rosemary Connolly

Rosemary Connolly

Oconomowoc, WI: Rosemary Connolly, 86, formerly of Greece NY died peacefully May 15, 2019 at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI. She was born in Indiana Pa, the only daughter of a farm family with five brothers. Her singing voice was a true gift as she entertained audiences with songs including "Ave Maria" and "Oh What a Beautiful Morning."

Rosemary enjoyed fashion and an early career at a local department store. On December 20, 1952 she married Lewis "Tim" Connolly when he was on leave from the Korean War. The couple subsequently moved to the Rochester NY area and lived there for over 50 years, raising five children and becoming an integral part of their community in Greece, NY.

Always a music lover, Rosemary sang lullabies to her children and grandchildren. She was the definition of Earth Mother/friend. She had a warmth and empathetic spirit that drew people of all ages to her. Friendship meant the world to her and people considered themselves lucky to call her friend.

As a devoted wife and mother, she truly enjoyed sharing her extraordinary cooking/baking skills with love as her special ingredient. Everything she touched was done with care and love from tending a garden to buying a thoughtful gift to keeping up her home. She had a special softness toward children as she delighted in raising her own family, celebrated being a grandmother and great- grandmother as well as working with kids as a volunteer at Buckman Heights Elementary School.

Rosemary also contributed elsewhere in the community most notably at a soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels with her husband and at Holy Name of Jesus Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis and son, Kevin. Rosemary is survived by her children Kathleen (Roger) VanVossen, Sharon (Michael) Coyle, Tim(Kris) Connolly, Brian (Sue) Connolly, brother Fr. John Strittmatter, daughter-in-law Sheila Connolly, 14 grandchildren, 6 great- grandchildren plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends Monday July 22nd from 11:00am -1:00pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy S.) where a celebration of Rosemary's life will follow at 1:00pm. Memorials are encouraged in lieu of flowers to Angels Grace Hospice, W359 N7430 Brown St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066.