Mary Connick da Roza

Mary da Roza passed away on March 7, 2025 at the age of 94 surrounded by her loving children. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, the love of her life and her best friend who supported and encouraged her in all of her endeavors, Dan da Roza; parents James and Jessie Catherine Fowler Connick, brothers James Paul, Joseph Harry, John William, Paul David, William Joseph; sister Jessie Ann. Mary is survived by her brother Michael O’Dell. She was the proud mother of 5 children: Kathleen Bruce, Roy da Roza (Margie), Addie Scullin (Dan), Ann Avallone (Tony), and Mary Kay Sonnier (John), and the loving grandmother of twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Morrison, Jason Bruce, Stephanie Purvis, Paul da Roza, Lindsey Marion, Justin da Roza, Emily Scullin, Daniel Scullin, Stephen Avallone, Mary Avallone, Hayden Sonnier, and Nathan Sonnier and 14 great grandchildren. She had numerous nieces and nephews, all who held a special place in her heart.

Mary was born March 9, 1930 in New Orleans, and in childhood lived in Atlanta, and Mobile, finally moving back to New Orleans where she became a lifelong resident. She attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School, graduating in 1947. and Providence Hospital School of Nursing, in Mobile, Alabama graduating in 1951.

Outside of her family, her work as a Registered Nurse was her most prideful accomplishment. Mary considered nursing not as a profession, instead she viewed nursing as a vocation. She worked at Mercy Hospital, and Touro Infirmary until her retirement, specializing in Infection Control. Mary became a Certified Infection Control Practitioner developing and implementing infection surveillance and control programs for both hospitals. She was a member of the American Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC), serving as president. She was very instrumental in opening the New Orleans Chapter. She did much work during the AIDS epidemic. In retirement she established a consulting firm, Rochele Inc, and was a consultant for numerous nursing homes, developing infection, safety and quality assurance programs for these facilities. Mary was respected and admired by her colleagues, mentoring many nurses freely, giving her time offering guidance and encouragement as they entered the practice of infection control. Her accomplishments in nursing gained her the honor as a Great One Hundred.

Mary was a Catholic who lived her religion and tried to reflect her faith in all that she did. She was always the perfect hostess, and loved entertaining family and friends. She enjoyed the years spent as part of a gourmet club, with a small group of very close friends, that always had a good time together. Mary loved gardening and spent endless hours working in her yard. Gardening was her special pleasure. Mary also enjoyed traveling abroad with her husband, Dan. and spent time volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Mary was compassionate, setting an example by her actions and selflessness.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Interim Hospice and their nurses for their attentive and compassionate care delivery.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass, officiated by Father Harry Bugler, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 13396 River Road, Destrehan, La., on Saturday, April 12 at 11 am. Visitation will begin at 10 am.