Rita M. (Flynn) Connolly

Rita M. (Flynn) Connolly, 95, passed away surrounded by her loving family in her home on Sunday, September 15, 2013. She was the beloved wife of the late William V. Connolly. Born in Somerville on June 23, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Jennie (Donnelly) Flynn. Rita served our country as a Master Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps during WWII and was honorably discharged. She was in the first group of women enlisted in the Corp. Rita was a communicant of St. Richard Parish. She was the mother and mother-in-law of Kevin and Regis Connolly of Danvers, Maureen and John Payne of Salem, Mark and Luanne Connolly of N. Andover and Nancy and John Beard of Rowley, the loving grandmother of Shannon, Derek, Shaun, Shane, Erin, Brenna, Siobhan, Tara, Bridget, Kaitrin, Dylan, Taylor, Kelsey, Patrick, Brandon, Caileen and Emmaline and great grandmother of eleven. She was predeceased by her brothers John and Thomas Flynn. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Friday, September 20, 2013 in St. Richard Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday from 5-8PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society at: Relay for Life of Peabody c/o Rita Connolly, 43 Nagog Park, Suite 110, Acton, MA 01720.