Mary Connolly

PORTLAND — Mary Camilla (Pizzo) Connolly, 75, of South Portland, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Mercy Hospital with her loving family by her side.

She was born April 27, 1939 in Westbrook, a daughter of Alfonso and Margaret (Martelle) Pizzo. She attended North Grammar School, Jack Junior High School and was a 1957 graduate of Portland High School.

Mary married Paul Joseph Connolly at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and began raising their family.

During her working life, Mary was employed with Porteous, Mitchell, and Braun as an operator for several years. A lover of flowers, Mary was an avid gardener. She loved to play bocce, bingo, and was also known for being a very competitive ping-pong player. She was a communicant of Holy Cross Church and a life member of the Italian Heritage Center.

Above all else, Mary was a loyal and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She enjoyed spending her summers with her family on Little Sebago Lake, and was a very proud grandmother who adored her grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Alphonse Pizzo Jr., Martin Pizzo and John Pizzo.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul; her daughters, Karen Connolly of South Portland, Margaret Connolly of Calenzano, Italy; her son, Paul Connolly Jr. of Portland; four grandchildren; her brothers, Peter Pizzo of Westbrook, Michael Pizzo of Portland, James Pizzo of Portland; her sisters, Anna Naimey and Delores Veit, both of Westbrook; twin aunts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours were held on Friday, March 13, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers were recited on Saturday, March 14, at the South Portland Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To share an online condolence or a memory with the family, please visit www.ctcrawford.com

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.