Mary C. MacDONNELL

MacDONNELL, Mary C.
Mary Catherine MacDonnell, 85 of Wethersfield, passed away Thursday October 10, 2013 in Hartford Hospital. She was born in Scranton PA, daughter of the late Francis and Elizabeth MacDonnell. Mary was a world traveler, an avid reader, a gardener, a collector of Belleek china and Waterford crystal and was a big animal lover, leaving her two cats, J.K. and Noir. She is survived by her cousins, Vera Murphy and Alice Ford, of Springfield, MaryLou MacDonnell and Esther Heyse of Suffield, Edna Tomis of Fairfield, and her godson John MacDonnell and his wife Erin of North Haven. Mary was honored in 1981 with the Distinguished Alumna Award by Saint Joseph's College where she was an honors graduate in history and political science in 1949. She earned her master's degree in teaching history at Columbia University. She earned her sixth-year step through study at American University, Trinity College, and Springfield College. She received her sixth-year certificate in school administration from the University of Hartford in 1971. Mary began her teaching career at Kennelly School in Hartford, where she taught Social Studies. Her next position was as a counselor at Hartford Public High School. She then taught at Weaver High School in Hartford where she also served as district chairman of the history department. During her years at Weaver she also taught on the College level at Central Connecticut State College and Greater Hartford Community College. Mary next served as assistant principal at Maloney High School until her appointment as principal. Mary became the second woman in Connecticut appointed principal of a high school when she was selected for that position at Maloney 1977. She earned a reputation as a "tough lady" among the student body and the respect of her colleagues during her years at Maloney until her retirement in 1991.
The funeral will be held Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 at 10:15 a.m. from the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd. Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St. Wethersfield. Friends may call at the funeral home from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Monday. Burial will take place Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 at 10a.m. in St. Michael Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Ave., Stratford, CT. To extend online condolences, please visit farleysullivan.com.