Mary Ann Pczonka McDonnell

Mary Ann Pczonka McDonnell, passed away September 27, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. She was born January 27, 1937 in Derby, CT. She was the only child of John and Stephanie (Stochmal) Pczonka but she grew up surrounded by a close-knit extended family of sixteen aunts and uncles, all first-generation Americans born of Polish immigrants. She was always proud of her heritage and her roots in the Housatonic Valley of Connecticut.

After graduating from Derby High School she went to work for the telephone company in New Haven where she met the love of her life, Raymond K. McDonnell, Jr. (“Red”) on a blind date. Soon after that first date, Mary Ann said yes to Red’s marriage proposal, and they started a family together, raising three sons Ken, John and David.

Mary Ann made friends wherever she went. When she and Red moved from the Valley to Madison, CT in 1967, Mary Ann made a point of always staying in touch with her extended family and old friends while making and enjoying new friends in their new community. Mary Ann was a great homemaker. She loved to entertain family and friends with dinner parties and get togethers. She loved to compete in cards and board games and sports. She was an avid golfer and proud of her tournament wins and her hole in one. But mostly she was proud of her three sons and their families.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband. She is survived by her three sons Kenneth (Kathryn), John (Mary Elizabeth) and David (Julianne), her grandchildren Evan (Melissa), Carly Odesina (Olugbenga), Ryan (Kelsey), Erin Seymour (Robert) Maura Williams (Matthew), Sean (Kayla) and Nicole McDonnell and her great-grandchildren Julius, Thomas & Grace Odesina, Hannah McDonnell, Ellie & Quinn Seymour and Savannah McDonnell.

Mary Ann will be laid to rest in Madison, Connecticut where a celebration of life Mass will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Margaret’s Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or online at www.transitionslifecare.org/donate.

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