Margaret "Peggy" Connolly

Margaret "Peggy" Connolly (née Horrigan, formerly McManus)
Peggy died peacefully, surrounded by love, on August 13, 2025. She is survived by her adoring husband,Paul Michael "Mike" Connolly, and their seven children: John McManus (Ariele Taylor), MargaretMcManus (Grieg Steward), Mary McManus (Gene Gualtieri), Claire McManus (George), Tom McManus(Micheline), Anne Baird (Duke), and Michelle Shaker (Anthony). Peggy deeply loved her 17grandchildren: Evelyn, Declan, and Finn McManus; Isabella and Thomas Steward; Sam and Leo Gualtieri;Jack, Charlie, Meg, and Walter McManus; Luke, Adelaide, Eleanor, and Maddie Baird; and Frannie andWes Shaker. She was preceded lovingly in death by first husband Thomas McManus, parents John andMadeline Horrigan, brother Richard "Dick" Horrigan, and other cherished family.Peggy is survived by beloved siblings and siblings-in-law John F "Jack" Horrigan (husband of the latePeggy Horrigan); Dolores Horrigan (wife of the late Richard Horrigan); Mary (wife of the late RobertO'Connell; Theresa (wife of the late Robert Montgomery); Madeline Horrigan; Sue (wife of Francis "Bud"Ozar) and Michael Horrigan. In addition, she is survived by her husband Michael's brothers StephenConnolly and Richard and Helen Connolly, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors andfriends.Peggy was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, the fifth of eight children. She earned both a Bachelor'sdegree from College of New Rochelle and a Master of Fine Arts from The Catholic University of America.She toured the country with Broadway theater companies tutoring young actors before it wasfashionable for young women to pursue professional work, setting an example for future familygenerations to follow. Peggy was passionate about her Catholic faith community, the arts, directing andattending theater, teaching, and most of all, being a mother and grandmother. Her favorite timesincluded family gatherings during the holidays and the traditions that came with them, family reunionsat the Shore, and card games (which she usually won). Peggy taught her family to value education, tofollow their passions, and to embrace their spirituality wherever that led. She held herself and others toa high standard but lovingly accepted everyone.Peggy's last months were filled with support and compassion from her devoted caregivers to whom thefamily will be forever grateful.A Celebration of Life will be held at Old St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia on Wednesday, August 27th.Visitation at 9am followed by a mass at 10am. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in West Roxbury, MA,at a later date.In lieu of flowers, donaåons in Peggy's name would be welcome to Food, Faith and Friends at Old St.Joseph's Church, 321 Willings Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106 https://oldstioseph.org/zive