Rosa Marie Connell
October 23, 1940 - January 11, 2020
Obituary
TREMONT, Ill.- Rosa Marie Connell, age 79, of Tremont, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. She was born on Oct. 23, 1940, in Pekin, Ill., the daughter of Paul and Gertrude (Litterst) Shannon.
Rosa graduated from Delavan High School in 1958 and from St. Francis Nursing School in Peoria, Ill. She married Donald L. Connell at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Delavan, Ill on Feb. 23, 1963.
Rosa was a dedicated registered nurse and worked for Pekin Hospital, Dr. Tosi’s Pediatric Clinic, Pekin, Ill, and Tazewell County Health Department, specializing as a lactation consultant, in Tremont, Ill. retiring in the 1990’s. Later in life, she belonged to a clown club, where she was affectionately known as, Clutzy the Clown. Rosa enjoyed reading, creating artwork, working crossword puzzles, playing bingo and solitaire. She was a loving and caring mother to her six children.
Rosa is survived by her children, Patrice (David) Parsons, Shannon Connell, Em McCarty, Elizabeth (Jason) Wright, and Sean (Crystal) Connell; daughter-in-law, Heather Connell; 17 grandchildren; two sisters, Paula (Ron) Shoup and Sheila (Harish) Sud; and brother, Jerry (Rita) Shannon. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael L. Connell; husband, Donald; and her parents.
Memorial services will take place at a later date. Memorials may be gifted in Rosa’s name to the National MS Society Wisconsin Chapter. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
SC
Shannon K Connell
Other •
I'll love & miss you forever, Mom. I am glad that I was with you as you left us & joined Dad. Always, Shannon
RG
Robert Gussin
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May her memory be a blessing to all of those whose lives she touched.
-Bob Gussin
PS
Paula Shoup
Other •
My little sister, such a pain when we were growing up, then such a good friend as we became adults. I went back to IL for a visit each summer from AZ. Rosa and I would go out under the mosquito nets to pick blueberries and also sit on the back stoop and pick black walnuts out of the shell. We kept in touch by phone as much as we could after she and Don moved to Texas, but hadn't seen each other for too many years. I will miss our calls. She told me I could cheer her up and make her laugh. I hope so.
MT
Mary Emily Schultz (One of Don's cousins in Texas)
Other •
It is sad to hear of Rosa's passing, but consoling to know how much her family meant to her, especially after Don's death just a short while ago! Rosa and Don always opened their home to us and Rosa always welcoming. I am glad for the precious time around Don's funeral in North Texas - time for family to remember, to stop all other business and be together, deeply grateful for the life of each one. Rosa's passing will be the same. God bless each one!
CC
Carol Coulston
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I am thankful for the times that I could spend with Rosa and Don visiting in Texas at Patrice and David’s and also at the family home near Tremont. Rosa always spoke warmly of my mom and felt connected by their mutual careers in nursing. Her strength in facing frailty by doing all that she could to remain strong is inspiring. May her family whom she loved deeply be comforted with peace and grace.
JB
Joe Bowsher
Other •
I am sad for Rosa's passing but happy she is now in Heaven. I remember the love Rosa and Don had for each other and their children. Rosa and Don worked very hard to support and nurture their children. Rosa made sure they made it to the many extended family events. Together they raised some fantastic human beings full of love and compassion for others. Rosa was a strong and very intelligent woman. She made some fantastic divinity. I always looked forward to that. My prayer is that she is remembered as a kind and wonderful person and that now she is reunited with Don