Mary Ann Connelly

Mary Ann Connelly, 79, of Taos, passed away Saturday April 15, 2006. She is preceded in death by her husband of fifty-one years, Bernard James Anthony Connelly, originally of Penn, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Ruth Barnette. She is survived by her daughters Cathy Ann and Kay Ann, her son-in-law David, and her grandchildren J.B. and Margaret, all of Taos. Born May 18, 1926 in Topeka, Kansas she lived most of her adult life prior to marriage in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and attended the Colorado School of Fine Art. Mrs. Connelly ultimately resided in Southern California for forty-plus years and was active in many civic and social organizations including Beta Sigma Phi, the PTA, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Girl Scouts. While in Taos she helped form a chapter of the Red Hat Society, and was involved with the local American Association of University Women (AAUW) chapter. Mrs. Connelly was an accomplished swing dancer and visual artist, ultimately showing her paintings as part of the prestigious Laguna Beach Arts Festival. Always busy, she was also a great gardener, avid reader, pursuer of continual spiritual evolution, lover of the outdoors -- particularly New Mexico's and Colorado's mountains, and an insatiable traveler. Mrs. Connelly was a wonderful and much loved wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend who organized us all and kept us on track. She will be much missed, but will live daily in our hearts. She was an example for all of us as to how to conduct ourselves in life and maximize our happiness - and that of others. Memorial service was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at Rivera Chapel.