Ms. Maria Connors

Maria Angela Gasbarrone Connors, 67 of Pittsfield, MA passed peacefully at home on March 19, 2018. Maria was born on September 4, 1950, the daughter of Marco A. Gasbarrone and Mary T. Morsello. She attended Pittsfield High School until her family moved to Augusta, Maine in 1967. She graduated from Cony High School in Augusta in 1969. Maria was a lifelong Catholic and frequently participated in church activities and services throughout her life. Maria was a talented artist, writer, photographer, and storyteller. She always displayed her creativity in her work, writing the newsletter for the Augusta General hospital, working for a newspaper in Pittsfield, Maine and editing for her friend, comedian Tim Sample. Later, she used her skills in communication, marketing, and fundraising as Alumni Director for Maine Central Institute, and Communications Director for United Way of Kennebec Valley. Maria continued her career with non-profits when she returned to Pittsfield, MA to work for the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and most recently at Wingate Residences at Melbourne. In her latest roles, she was deeply dedicated to serving the elderly, planning fun activities and advocating healthy aging programs. Soon after graduating high school, Maria married her friend Laurier Dostie of Augusta, Maine. Although their young marriage was brief, the two remained friends and kept in touch over the years. In her early thirties, Maria met her husband of 9 years, John Connors, in Pittsfield, Maine, while performing theater with the Pittsfield Players. Acting was another creative outlet she enjoyed. She had a soothing singing voice and a bubbly presence on stage. The two shared a passion for art, music, and theater. Together, they had two children, Angela and Michael. Maria was a gentle, kind, caring, and loving mother who would do anything to provide for her children. Maria was outgoing and had a charming, warm, and witty personality with an unforgettable smile. She enjoyed long conversations over coffee, attending dinner parties, plays, craft fairs, and musical performances at Tanglewood with her friends and cousins. She was very social and always managed to bring people together for a great time. Maria was highly intelligent, passionate, creative, and had an incredible imagination. She expressed herself through poetry, singing, acting, drawing, and painting. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she was an incredibly talented painter and enjoyed painting with oil and watercolor. She also loved learning new things and teaching others. She loved taking her children and grandchildren on trips to explore new places, and exposing them to culture, art, and music. Maria enjoyed her visits to Maine, time well spent with her family. She spent a majority of her evenings, reaching out to her children and grandchildren to simply ask them how their day was. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren and loved to share stories and photos of them with her friends, relatives, and coworkers. Maria is predeceased by her parents, Marco and Mary Gasbarrone and her beloved brother, Marco Gasbarrone. Maria is survived by daughter Angela Connors and her significant other Aaron Glidden; son Michael Connors and his significant other Ellie Burnham; grandchildren Mallary, Benjamin, her newest grandchild Nash, and Aaron’s daughters Kaylene and Adalyn; brother Joe Gasbarrone and his wife Denise; sister Lisa Gasbarrone and husband Joe Jucewicz; nieces Megan and Marya; nephew Marco; and her dear aunts and cousins. Service: A celebration of life for Maria Gasbarrone Connors will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 1-4pm at the Italian American Club at 203 Newell Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, care of the Funeral Home, in her memory. Please feel free to share your memories of Maria on this page.

Ms. Maria Connors

September 4, 1950 - March 19, 2018