Mary Connors Enjoyed Time with Family, Friends

Mary Frances Connors of Oak Bluffs died Feb. 3 at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was 85.

Mary was born the only daughter of seven children to her parents, Patrick Connors and Agnes Cecilia (Connor) Connors, on Oct. 15, 1920, in Boston.

She was graduated from North Quincy High School and lived in the Boston and South Shore areas for most of her life. In July 1996 she moved to Martha's Vineyard and lived at the Love House in Vineyard Haven until moving to Woodside Village in September 1998. Since October 2004, she had been a resident of the Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mary was a great homemaker, providing the best care for her family while her children were growing. She also worked as a hairdresser and operated her own salon for awhile.

She was a devout Catholic and regularly attended church.

She enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends earlier in life. She also was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing plants. She won a blue ribbon at the New England Flower Show for a Christmas cactus which she grew from a seed.

She is survived by two sons, Brion McGroarty of Oak Bluffs and Dennis J. McGroarty Jr. of Suffield, Conn.; two daughters, Maura McGroarty and Noreen McGroarty, both of Oak Bluffs; four grandchildren, Kelly Jean McGroarty of E. Hartford, Conn., Brion K. McGroarty of Braintree and Jack and Jane McGroarty, both of Oak Bluffs; and a brother, John R. Connors of Tucker, Ga. She was predeceased by her other five brothers.

Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The service was officiated by the Rev. Joseph Byrne and Deacon Fred LaPiana. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Good Shepherd Parish of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or to the Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena, P.O. Box 2062, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funderal Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.