Mary V. Connolly

Mary V. Connolly passed away peacefully at Cavalry Hospital on November 3, 2025, at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 25, 1930, in Bonefro, Campobasso, Italy, to Antonio and Lucia DelGatto Vaccaro. Mary emigrated to the United States at the age of nine months, coming with her mother to join her father here. She was the oldest of two sisters and a brother. Mary often “forged” her signature on her siblings’ school documents because their parents could not read or write English well.

Mary was raised in Eastchester and has lived there all of her life. She graduated from Eastchester High School, Class of 1948, and from secretarial school. She worked for the FBI for eight years. Doing what is still a mystery.

Mary met Gerald P. Connolly at a church dance in NYC. They were married May 1, 1954 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and were married for 62 years before his death a few years ago.

Mary went back to work after her youngest child was in kindergarten. She was a well-respected executive assistant. Mary was an incredibly hard worker who walked or took the bus wherever she needed to go. A driver’s license remained elusive.

Mary enjoyed reading mystery and romance novels, good food, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Hallmark movies, traveling to Europe, Buffalo Bills football, and Buttons, the family cat. She had fun visiting Cape Cod and walking along the shore with her grandkids. Most of all, Mary cherished seeing her grandchildren’s growth and accomplishments.

Mary is survived by her children, Brian (Cathleen), Michael, Karen (Mark Schivley), and Jerry (Aimee); her grandchildren, Brian, Tricia, Claire, Thomas, Maya, Declan, and Madeleine; her dear sister, Lucy; and several nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Gerald, and by her loving brother, Tony.

A wake will be held at Bennett Funeral Home, 824 Scarsdale Ave. Scarsdale, NY, on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 4-8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 8 Carmen Road in Scarsdale on Friday, November 7, at 11:15 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Mercy Ships.