Patricia M. (Connolly) Finnegan

Patricia M. (Connolly) Finnegan, 80, of Highland St., died in the presence of her loving family on Friday, September 6, 2013 at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a short illness. Born and raised in Worcester, Pat was the daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Mulvey) Connolly and had lived in Holden for 53 years.



Pat was proud of her Irish heritage. She was raised on Grafton Hill in Worcester and was a graduate of St. Stephen’s Grammar and High Schools. In 1951, following her passion and love for music, she enrolled in the Boston University School of Music, to which she would take the train daily from Union Station. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1954. She met the love of her life, Henry P. Finnegan, also of Grafton Hill, and on October 8, 1955 they married, living on Gordon Street, Worcester for several years and then moved to Holden where they raised their four daughters.



Pat taught piano at the former St. Gabriel’s School of Music in Worcester. She also taught music at the Thorndyke School in Worcester, Holden Jr. High School, Thomas Prince School in Princeton and the Ruggles Lane Elementary School in Barre. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson where she was the organist for over 25 years and later was an organist at Prince of Peace Church in Princeton. In retirement Pat was an active member of the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts and Outdoor Sports. She took painting lessons, classes at Assumption College, bowled and continued to play the piano.



Her greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. As the matriarch of the family, she led by example through her deep religious faith, generosity, loving nature and boundless enthusiasm for life. She looked forward to vacationing with her family at Ogunquit, Chatham, winter get-aways at Longboat Key, Florida, and trips to Ireland, England and Italy.



Her beloved husband of 48 years, Henry P. Finnegan, passed away in 2004. She is survived and will be sadly missed by her four daughters, Patricia M. Finnegan Gates and her husband Gerald M. of Princeton, Kathleen M. Finnegan Breen and her husband Timothy E. of Holden, Christine M. Lawton and her husband William F. of Princeton and Nancy M. Finnegan and her husband Dylan H. Caldwell of Gloucester; nine grandchildren, Mary, Daniel and Margaret Gates, Elizabeth and Michael Breen, Thomas and Sarah Lawton, and Sophie and Emmett Caldwell; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by two brothers, Phillip and Frederick Connolly.



Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, and again on Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m. followed by a procession to St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden. Donations may be made in Pat's memory to Catholic Charities, 10 Hammond St., Worcester, MA 01610. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please click on the guestbook at the top of this page.