[All] Mary Connolly

[Lanteigne]

 Hello all
Mary was such a remarkable lady.  She inspired me for many years to have faith and to keep working the public process route on issues. I thank God for that because she was right. It does work but it takes time. 
I remember years back I lost my temper at a Kitchener city council meeting. Back in the day my emotions were raw from the SLAPP lawsuit and West Side Lands issues and I saw questionable conduct by a council member towards a member of the public and it triggered me to respond rather badly.  Afterwards I went to the Ladies rest room to cool down and that's when Mary approached me and she gave me a well deserved scolding which ended up being one of the greatest blessings of my life. It was that conversation with Mary that made me realize that I was far too close to the issues to speak objectively. I had to let go of the emotions if I wanted to be heard so from that point on I began a path of using written commentary instead of public presentations to get my ideas to council. Not only did it work far more effectively it build a large data base of written evidence that I could use for Part II orders, OMB and other public processes.  She basically handed me the most powerful tool I have: The written word.  She also taught me the best preventative medicine I could use: Don't willingly put yourself in upsetting places. 
I am forever thankful for her friendship and her wisdom.  
Lulu 

    On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 4:28:58 PM PST, Deb Swidrovich <deswid at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 Hello all:
I am sorry to inform you that Mary Connolly passed away on Friday, January 5th.  She was a strong advocate for better governance, and especially the protection of our environment. 
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Mike Connolly who served on council at the City and Region of Waterloo.  She was very involved in politics and supportive of Mike, and would often arrange meetings in their home to ensure that our concerns were brought to Mike's attention and shared with council and staff.  She would also show up at the drop of a hat to support us at council; and would write letters to politicians at all levels and to the newspapers if we needed her help.  
Mary was a mentor for me, and a dear friend over the last 10-15 years.  I will miss her sense of humour, her strength, and her tenacity.

I have attached a few pictures I have of Mary and Mike at one of our GREN events in 2010 at the St. John's Kitchen on Victoria Street; and the obituary her family sent to me yesterday. I don't see the funeral arrangements on the Henry Walser Funeral Home website yet, so I thought I'd send the attached information in advance in case you want to make plans to attend on Sunday, January 14th.
Deb Swidrovich

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