Florence Connolly Reisner

Florence Connolly Reisner, 97, passed away at home on March 20, 2026, surrounded by her family. Florence lived a full and productive life. She grew up in the Westville section of New Haven, attended public schools, and earned her BA degree from New Haven Teachers' College. Upon graduating, she married Walter Reisner and moved to Blacksburg, VA where she got her first teaching job. They moved back to New Haven where they started their family in 1952, and moved to Northford in 1960 where they raised their seven children, and where Florence remained for the duration of her life. She truly became an integral part of the Northford community. Florence, often called Tootsie, was one of the original teachers in the Northford Community Nursery School in the 1960s. She then taught in the Northford elementary school system (William Douglas and Stanley T. Williams) and completed her MA in teaching from SCSC during that time. She was a communicant of Saint Monica's Church, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and taught religious education to children making their First Holy Communion for decades. After she retired at age 73, she volunteered at the Community Dining Room in Branford for 10 years, assisting with the preparation and serving of meals and welcoming neighbors in need.

Florence was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was a proud and loving mother to seven children: Marie (Chris) Maier, Michael (Sherry) Reisner, Debra Healy, Nancy Reisner, Pamela Charland, Kerry Reisner, and David Reisner. She loved family and holiday parties, cooking delicious meals, enjoying the company of her eight grandchildren (Caitlin Maier, Brian Healy, Kerry (Cam) Bergin, Emily Maier, Monica (Fernando) Marquez, Julia (John) Lombardi, Shannon (Matt) Panicali, and Anna Reisner. She was a great grandmother to six children, and another expected to arrive this week. She is also survived by her sister Eleanor Pokrob, and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express its appreciation to Matilda Mensah for her loving care, which allowed Mom to stay in her home until her death.

Daughter of the late Joseph and Della Connolly, Florence was predeceased by
her husband, Walter; siblings Joseph (Sarah), Raymond (Louise), Robert, and Virginia Connolly; brother-in-law Albert Pokrob; sister-in-law Eileen (Elwood) Barringham; and her sons-in-law, Robert Bergin, Robert Healy, and Peter Charland.

A Mass will be held for Florence on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Saint Monica's Church of Saint Ambrose Parish in Northford, Connecticut, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Florence to the Community Dining Room, 30 Harrison Avenue, Branford, CT 06405.