Margaret Rice Connelly, age 87, of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late William F. Connelly, Jr. died February 20, 2010 at the Carolton Chronic and Convalescent Hospital. Margaret was born in Bridgeport, on February 21, 1922, daughter of the late Frank A. and Jeannette Berger Rice, and was raised in the Long Hill section of Trumbull, before moving to Fairfield. She was a member of Brooklawn Country Club, Algonquin Club, the St. Vincent's Medical Center Ladies' Auxiliary, and a volunteer with the American Red Cross Ambulance Service, where she received a certificate of appreciation in 1944. Margaret was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, and was a member of the Ladies Guild.  Survivors include her devoted children; Kathleen A. Connelly of Manhattan, NY, Robert J. Connelly and wife Patricia of Trumbull, William F. Connelly, III and wife Judith of Alexandria, VA, Mark R. Connelly and wife Lisa of Trumbull, and Betsy Koolis of Trumbull, a brother Robert Rice and wife Nancy of Naples, FL, six cherished grandchildren; Lindsay and Mark Koolis, Sean, Dylan, Sam, and Matthew Connelly, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a brother Frank Rice. A special thank you to the Carolton for their compassionate care and friendship over the past eight years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 9:00am, meeting directly in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 3pm to 8pm in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Margaret's name to the Monsignor Thomas Henahan Scholarship Fund, c/o Our Lady of the Assumption School, 605 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, CT 06825. To send online condolences please visit www. redgatehennessy.com