Retired US Army
May 2, 1921-January 3, 2019
Retired Lt. Colonel Margaret M. Connolly, 97, died peacefully January 3, 2019, at the Army Residence Community (ARC) in San Antonio, TX. Known as Margie to some, and Peg, Margaret, Sis or Colonel to others, Lt. Col. Connolly was born in Indian Orchard, MA to the late Cornelius and Ellen (O’Connor) Connolly and later moved to Warren, MA where she shared her life with Bill and Peg Carroll and their four children, Peg, Kathy, Tim and Bill following the death of her own parents at a young age. Lt. Col. Connolly graduated from Warren High School and then from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, MA in 1944, subsequently joining the Army Nurse Corps in 1945 as a medical/surgical nurse. She left the military in 1947 only to be recalled to active duty in 1950 where she served until her retirement in 1971. While in the military she received Special Overseas tours in Germany and Italy and several assignments in the United States and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with OLC and the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition for her service. Lt. Col. Connolly led an active life even in retirement, and was a devoted member of the St. John Neumann Catholic Church’s Women’s Club in San Antonio who faithfully attended religious services at the ARC. She will be remembered most for her visits and assistance to health care residents and neighbors at the ARC where she lived from 1996 until her death.
Lt. Colonel Connolly leaves her nieces, Denise Connolly of Brookfield, MA, Charlene Barbour (Benjamin) of Putnam, CT and nephews Kevin Connolly of Wareham, MA and Brian Connolly of Warren, MA. She also leaves behind her cousins Margaret (Carroll ) Gorman of Warren, MA, Timothy Carroll (Veronica) of Hatfield, MA and William Carroll (Suzanne) of West Brookfield, MA. She was predeceased by her brothers Eugene, Denis, Cornelius and Joseph Connolly, nephew Craig Connolly and her cousin Kathleen (Carroll) Theberge (Lt Col Royal) of Kingston, MA. The family is grateful for the dedicated and compassionate care provided to Lt. Colonel Connolly at the ARC and by Kindred Hospice and would like to extend their gratitude to all those who cared for her during her many years there.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, February 7th at 9 am in the chapel at the ARC, 7400 Crestway Drive, San Antonio, TX, followed by a reception at 10 am in the Private Dining room. A private interment will be conducted at 1 pm with Full Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Army Residence Community Greer Fund which provides educational scholarships for employees of the ARC and their children. Condolences may be provided to Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX by visiting www.dignitymemorial.com.
