Elaine M. Connolly

Elaine Marion (Sampson) Connolly, of Weymouth, formerly of Dorchester and Alexandria, VA, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 9, 2018, after a heroic six and half year battle with renal cell carcinoma. She was 60 years old, and recently celebrated her 37th wedding anniversary two weeks ago.

Elaine was the cherished best friend and loving wife of 37 years to her husband Joseph A. Connolly, and an absolutely incredible mother and friend to Taylor E. Connolly of South Boston, and Brigid K. Connolly of Quincy. Everyone knew Elaine was the boss of the family, but she was so talented she also served as chief party/event planner, family-time coordinator, general contractor on all home improvement projects, and was so proud to be her family’s biggest cheerleader and backbone of support. Elaine could regularly be found walking her dog Morgan and chatting with neighbors, spinning at the Weymouth Club, and sending out thoughtful cards for every holiday and oftentimes random days of the week just to brighten someone else’s day.

Whether enjoying the Patriots game with friends, on the beach with a margarita watching another sunset, or traveling with Joe and the girls, she was happiest spending time with the ones she loved. She was a noted wine expert, collector of beach sand from her travels with Joe, and famously stole the spotlight from Beyoncé during their duet. She was an avid traveler and loved the beach. Following her diagnosis, she still managed to visit Aruba, Grand Cayman, Cancun, Puerto Rico, California, Florida and Europe. Cancer was not going to stop her from enjoying life and she was the epitome of someone who enjoyed life to its fullest.

Elaine had a magnetism about her, her laugh was infectious, her smile contagious, and was naturally the center of attention. It’s no surprise that she could make friends anywhere she went, and had close friends from Boston to Florida, and from Washington D.C. to Michigan. It was often said by many who knew Elaine, that she was the reason that her husband was successfully elected to the Weymouth City Council and as Treasurer of Norfolk County – and he agrees wholeheartedly! Elaine was her husbands loudest and most loyal supporter through many campaigns and could always be counted on to win the hearts and the vote of anyone she met. Elaine was also a proud employee of the Norfolk County Sheriffs Office of Civil Process and leaves behind her co-workers who miss her smile and friendly demeanor, along with her renowned Irish Bread which was always a welcome addition to the office especially around St. Patrick’s Day each year.

Elaine was the devoted daughter of the late Peter J. Sampson and Marion Sampson, and daughter in-law of Joseph M. Connolly and the late Dorothy A. Connolly. Beloved sister of  Marie Trechok of Hanover, Edward and his wife Alice of Braintree, Stephen and his wife Elizabeth of Braintree, Margaret Boddie and her husband Jeffrey of Braintree, Michael and his wife Terri of Weymouth and the late Peter J. Sampson, Jr., BFD,  brother-in-law Stephen Connolly of Hanover, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate and honor Elaine Thursday, September 13th from 4 -8  pm at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 – opposite South Shore Hospital). A Celebration of Life service will be held in the funeral home on Friday morning  September 14th at 9:45am prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Francis Xavier Parish, South Weymouth, Friday at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations and gifts may be made to The John Estrella Foundation for Cancer Research (http://jestrellafoundation.org/) or The Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Charitable Foundation, 120 Long Water Drive, Norwell.