Patricia A. Connell

PATRICIA A. CONNELL

Patricia Ann Tenca Connell, 82, of Wilmington, died at home Tuesday, February 22, 2011, after a long illness with lung cancer and emphysema.

Pat was born October 28, 1928, in East Islip, Long Island, NY, daughter of the late Frank Tenca and Helen O'Donnell Tenca. Her sister, Mary Tenca, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Connell was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church. She attended St. Mary's Elementary School, East Islip High School, SUNY College at Brockport, NY, and post-graduate studies at New York University, NY.

Pat was a Physical Education Teacher in the Elementary schools in Harrison, NY and South Huntington UFSD on Long Island, NY. She was a substitute teacher for several years in the New Hanover County Public Schools system, and in several LI public school districts. She also worked as a real estate agent on LI, NY.

Mrs. Connell was an avid sports enthusiast and a moving force in organizing the earliest soccer teams for girls on Long Island. She was the only woman member of the Long Island Soccer League board of directors in its earlier years.

Pat was a resident of Wilmington for 18 years, in the wonderful community of Eastwood Village, where she had many caring friends and neighbors.

Patricia was a devoted, loving mother and wife. She imbued her children with a love and respect for all of God's people, and they are a testimony to her teaching. Pat gave generously to the education of young people, and she loved to coach them in her favorite sport, soccer. She was God's gift to her loving husband and their six children. We pray that a merciful Lord will weigh all the good that she has done, and will accept her into His eternal Presence.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Charles A. Connell; six children, Kathleen D. Connell Mylott (Raymond) of Gibsonia, PA, Daniel F. Connell (Abigail) of Richmond, NH, Elizabeth M. Connell Sparling (Jeff) of Rocky Point, LI, NY, Michael A. Connell (Sun Hui) of Fayetteville, NC, Sheila T. Connell Eberhardt (John) of Alpharetta, GA, and Carolyn M. Connell of Wethersfield, CT; eighteen grandchildren; brother, Frank James Tenca of East Islip, NY; two sisters, Helen Livingstone (Herbert) of Huntington Station, LI, NY, and Frances Pike of St. John, Newfoundland, Canada; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm Thursday, February 24, 2011, at Andrews Market Street Chapel with a prayer service at 7:30pm.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be 2:30pm Friday, February 25, 2011, at St. Mark Catholic Church with Rev. Steven Carlson officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland, VT, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat's name may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

The Connell family is deeply grateful to the personnel of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for the loving care they gave to Patricia, allowing her to remain at home and to pass on in the prayerful presence of her family members. We also are indebted to the personnel of the Right At Home agency who cared for Patricia, especially Mrs. Doreen Turski.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com

A Market Street Chapel Service



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