2024-69 Honoring Mary J. Connolly

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Newport, legally assembled on this 26th day of June 2024, pauses in its deliberations to pay tribute to The Honorable Mary Catherine Regina Connolly, who passed away on June 13, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Mary Catherine Regina Connolly was born in Newport Hospital, on December 11, 1942, and grew up in the city's Fifth Ward. She attended the Newport public schools before graduating from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass. with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in education, and earned a master's degree in education from Rhode Island College. She completed graduate coursework at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island and Salve Regina University. While serving as director of special education in Newport, she earned a law degree from Southern New England School of Law to gain a better understanding of the legal issues surrounding special education; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Connolly began her career as a first-grade teacher in Uxbridge, Mass. after joining the Sisters of St. Joseph. She left the convent and returned to Newport as a special education teacher in Newport's public schools, and served as director of special education for the City of Newport, a position she retired from after a career of more than 34 years in education; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Ms. Connolly ran for Newport City Council, winning an at-large seat which she held through 2010. Ms. Connolly was entirely dedicated to the council and the needs of the people of Newport, and worked to affect positive change for the city; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Connolly was an active member of St. Joseph Church. She was a church trustee, and served as director of religious education and president of the St. Joseph Parish Council. She served on the Board of Governors for the Newport County Health Care Corporation and the Board of Trustees at St. Philomena School. She was president of the Association of Rhode Island Administrators of Special Education, chairperson of the Directors of Special Education for the East Bay Educational Collaborative, and president of the Residents Council at Village House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; and

WHEREAS, over her distinguished career Ms. Connolly was honored with many awards for her dedication and service to education, and was named as a Kennedy Foundation Scholar and has been listed in the Who's Who Biographical Record of Child Development Professionals and in 2000, was invited to present at a worldwide special education convention in Vancouver. Upon her retirement in 1999, Ms. Connolly became a professional lecturer in the Education Department at Salve Regina University, where she mentored young teachers-to-be sharing 35 years of wisdom as an educator and administrator. NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED: that the Council of the City of Newport, on behalf of all of its citizens, does hereby express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the family of The Honorable Mary Catherine Regina Connolly in recognition of her many years of service to the City of Newport, her commitment to the residents and children of the community, her efforts to improve the quality of life for all residents, and the time and energy she dedicated to the City and its citizens. AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED: that a certified copy of this resolution be presented to the family of The Honorable Mary Catherine Regina Connolly with the heartfelt condolences and sincere gratitude of the Newport community.

NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
JUNE 26, 2024

Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk