Mary Ann Viccora Connelly 81 of Pinehurst died February 13, 2012 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.  Mrs. Connelly was born July 26, 1930 in the Queens section of New York City, NY to the late Andrew and Philomena Viccora.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10AM Friday February 17, 2012 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Southern Pines with the Msgr. Jeffrey Ingham officiating. Rite of committal will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Mrs. Connelly had a successful career in Business Publishing prior to her forty four year marriage to her husband Robert A. Connelly. She was a devout Catholic who was instrumental in arranging for the (EWTN) Eternal Word Television Network broadcast to be carried on cable in New Jersey.  EWTN now reaches both a national and international audience.  She attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and also did volunteer work there.  She loved to spend time with her eight grandchildren.

Mrs. Connelly is survived by her husband, Robert A. Connelly. A son, Daniel A. Connelly and wife Cris of Montgomery, Alabama; eight grandchildren, Danni, Nicolette, Aidan, Regina, Charlotte, Naomi, Sonny, and Veronica; a brother, William; a sister, Jessie and 13 nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael and Andrew.

A vigil for the deceased will be held from 6 to 8PM Thursday February 16, 2012 at the Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Doctors and Nurses of the ICU Unit at FirstHealth MRH and a very special thanks to Dr. Rob Deucher and his staff at the Neese Clinic for their care and kindness.

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Mary Ann Connelly to the American Cancer Society at 8300 Health Park, Ste. 10 Raleigh, NC 27615