Obituary for Helen J. "Joan" Connelly (Bolger)
Our mother, our rock, and our strength, Helen Joan Connelly (Bolger), of Waltham and Dracut,
passed away on April 23, 2022 after fighting a long illness, surrounded by her children, and
cared for with incredible love and dignity by the staff of Fairhaven Nursing Home.
Joan was born in Somerville, the daughter of Sarah (O’Hanley) and David Bolger. Living in Waltham for most of her life, she was one of five siblings. Joan was a fantastic cook and baker, her way of showing love. We are so grateful for those kitchen lessons as she passed all those wonderful recipes on to us.
She was our True North – we looked to her for guidance, for love, for our beliefs and values, and always for our strength as we grew into adults. She never wavered. She always tried to welcome. Our mother loved to laugh, was always generous, had a wicked sense of humor and above all, she loved her family. Joan worked at the Waltham Raytheon plant for many years, later working at Boston Scientific. She loved Old Orchard in Maine, a bit of gossip or a story, a busy house, Christmas Eve, lobsters, and an eclectic music range from the Big Bands, to Sting, to Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. (We don’t understand the Sting, either).
Joan is predeceased by her beloved parents, her son, William (Billy) Connelly. her brothers and sister: Kelvin
Bolger, Kenneth Bolger, Winifred Russo, and John Bolger. As well as, her longtime companion, Robert Williams.
She is survived by her loving children. Her daughter Marianne (Keene) and her husband Tom Keene of Waltham; her daughter Kathleen (McLane) and her husband Michael McLane of Dracut; and her son Paul and
his wife Barbara (Donahue) of Pembroke. She loved being a grandmother and adored the Holidays with the little ones and had a special affection for her oldest grandson, Michael Connelly, whom she raised. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren: Michael Connelly of Dracut; Colleen Connelly of Pembroke; Erin Flood and her
husband Zachary Flood of Wasilla, Alaska; Alison Sheehan and her husband Connor of Quincy; Brian McLane, Sarah McLane, and Jason McLane of Dracut; and Jillian Keene of Waltham. She was thrilled to have met her first great-grandson, John Flood, in 2020. In addition to many nieces, nephews cousins, their husbands, wives, children, and so many close friends, all of who were our extended family.
She loved everyone. We will all miss her terribly.
Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to gather and remember the love Joan Shared during Visiting hours on Friday, April 29th from 11 am to 1 pm in The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels located, 773 Moody Street in WALTHAM. Followed by a Celebration of her life beginning at 1 pm. Burial will be held at Mt. Feake Cemetery, located 203 Prospect St. Waltham. Parking Attendants will be on duty.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.
" Brasco and Sons Memorial"
" Creating Meaningful Memories"
passed away on April 23, 2022 after fighting a long illness, surrounded by her children, and
cared for with incredible love and dignity by the staff of Fairhaven Nursing Home.
Joan was born in Somerville, the daughter of Sarah (O’Hanley) and David Bolger. Living in Waltham for most of her life, she was one of five siblings. Joan was a fantastic cook and baker, her way of showing love. We are so grateful for those kitchen lessons as she passed all those wonderful recipes on to us.
She was our True North – we looked to her for guidance, for love, for our beliefs and values, and always for our strength as we grew into adults. She never wavered. She always tried to welcome. Our mother loved to laugh, was always generous, had a wicked sense of humor and above all, she loved her family. Joan worked at the Waltham Raytheon plant for many years, later working at Boston Scientific. She loved Old Orchard in Maine, a bit of gossip or a story, a busy house, Christmas Eve, lobsters, and an eclectic music range from the Big Bands, to Sting, to Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. (We don’t understand the Sting, either).
Joan is predeceased by her beloved parents, her son, William (Billy) Connelly. her brothers and sister: Kelvin
Bolger, Kenneth Bolger, Winifred Russo, and John Bolger. As well as, her longtime companion, Robert Williams.
She is survived by her loving children. Her daughter Marianne (Keene) and her husband Tom Keene of Waltham; her daughter Kathleen (McLane) and her husband Michael McLane of Dracut; and her son Paul and
his wife Barbara (Donahue) of Pembroke. She loved being a grandmother and adored the Holidays with the little ones and had a special affection for her oldest grandson, Michael Connelly, whom she raised. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren: Michael Connelly of Dracut; Colleen Connelly of Pembroke; Erin Flood and her
husband Zachary Flood of Wasilla, Alaska; Alison Sheehan and her husband Connor of Quincy; Brian McLane, Sarah McLane, and Jason McLane of Dracut; and Jillian Keene of Waltham. She was thrilled to have met her first great-grandson, John Flood, in 2020. In addition to many nieces, nephews cousins, their husbands, wives, children, and so many close friends, all of who were our extended family.
She loved everyone. We will all miss her terribly.
Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to gather and remember the love Joan Shared during Visiting hours on Friday, April 29th from 11 am to 1 pm in The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels located, 773 Moody Street in WALTHAM. Followed by a Celebration of her life beginning at 1 pm. Burial will be held at Mt. Feake Cemetery, located 203 Prospect St. Waltham. Parking Attendants will be on duty.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.
" Brasco and Sons Memorial"
" Creating Meaningful Memories"