Margaret C. Connolly
August 19, 1964 ~ March 31, 2025
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Margaret C. Connolly, 60, of Hamden, CT passed peacefully on March 31, 2025 after a two-year battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Peg was raised in Scituate, MA, the youngest of seven children by the late Frank R. and Mary T. Smith Hanlon.
Peg was a gifted student-athlete through her years in the Scituate school system and in college. Peg earned her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State College (Bridgewater, Mass), in Athletic Training and was fortunate enough to find her dream job straight out of college at the highly respected Hopkins School in New Haven, CT.
She spent her entire 38-year teaching career at Hopkins School, making Peg one of the longest tenured teachers currently active at Hopkins.
Peg was an Athletic Trainer, coach, and health teacher all while earning her master’s degree and helping to raise her children in her “spare” time. She loved teaching, coaching and being part of the “Hopkins Family” which she considered part of her extended family.
Peg will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 34 years, Douglas E. Connolly; her son, Sean E. Connolly; her daughter, Erin M. Connolly, all of whom were at her side to the end. She also leaves her siblings, Mary F. Hanlon of Hull, MA, James Hanlon of Claremont, NH, Susan (Rick) Desmarais of Hull, MA, Kathleen (Bob) Hofmann of Hull, MA; her twin sister, Patricia (Chris) Cockey of Hanover, MA; sister-in-law, Eileen (Pete) Hoffman; along with all her nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Stephen Hanlon and in-laws, Edward and Myrtle Connolly.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Paul VI Parish/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will be at a later date. Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden in care of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests you consider a donation to further Peg’s daughter Erin’s College Fund at www.gofundme.com/f/support-erins-college-journey-in-memory-of-peg or to the Emma Hofmann Memorial Fund (Peg’s late niece) at www.gofundme.com/f/2xr7z-emma-hofmann-memorial-fund, which provides support to families after a cancer diagnosis. To leave a condolence for her family, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial: April 7, 2025 11:00 am
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
2819 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-248-0141
My deepest sympathy 🙏. I can’t imagine losing your twin sister at such a young age!!
May she be at Peace in the arms of Jesus🙏❤️
I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. Losing a family member, most especially a wife and mother, is too heart breaking for words. Peg was a Wonderful, loving, caring and devoted person, mother and teacher!
Life has an inevitable ending. Many times it’s far too short. Cherish and remember fondly what came before…..and share and pass those memories on to your children and grandchildren. Familia stories are the best….sharing them is the best way to honor Peg and her legacy.
The Powers family send our condolences to Doug and his family. Peg was a wonderful, caring and joyful person.
She made an impact on my son’s and my own life as a teacher at Hopkins. The world lost a wonderful human being.
To her family: I am so sorry for your loss.
I entered Hopkins as a 9th grader the same year as Peg began her work at Hopkins. The athletic training room somehow became my second home. Partly due to the injuries, but mostly due to the caring atmosphere that Peg, and Don, created. I had some excellent teachers and coaches at Hopkins, but when I think back to me early days there, Peg would one of the first to come to mind. While I left in 1991, I am so happy to hear that another 30+ graduating seniors all got to benefit by knowing Peg. Thank you, Peg, for all you did for me. You will be missed. Scott Magrath \’91