Obituary of Mary-Anne Nufrio Conner

Mary-Anne Nufrio Conner, age 64, of Shelton, devoted wife of James A. Conner, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at St. Vincent's Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 7, 1952 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she was a daughter of the late V. Anthony and Mary J. Cusumano Nufrio. Mary-Anne attended Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark, New Jersey graduating with honors. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Spanish Education from Fairfield University and returned there for her Master's Degree in Bilingual Bi-Cultural Education. She received a Seventh Year Degree in the Arts. Mary-Anne was employed by the Fairfield Public School system for thirty-five years. She was a stellar Spanish instructor, enhancing students' cultural knowledge by taking them on trips abroad. She also designed the English as a Second Language program at the high school. Mary-Anne's devotion to her career was evidenced by her ESL students calling her "Mom". She remained connected to many students after her retirement in 2009. A true performer, she was an accomplished singer and dancer and demonstrated her innate ability as she performed with her sister via the Charles Lowe Review in New York. Most recently, she performed with the Trumbull Senior Center Smile A While Club entertaining in various venues. Mary-Anne adored attending Broadway shows. She loved to spend time with her other Tias, Zinga Ladies and many other close friends. She loved playing bunco, cruising with her family and friends, traveling to Disney, and cheering for the New York Yankees. Her exceptional talent photographing special memories with her family and friends was noteworthy. Above all, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend. Her vibrant personality, caring manner and graceful countenance welcomed all. She treasured all the time spent with her family, especially her grandson. The memories, love laughter, and her zest for life that she shared with everyone will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be truly missed. In addition to her devoted husband of 39 years, James, survivors include two loving sons, James Conner and his wife Carissa of Fairfield and Brett Conner and his wife Nicole of Oxford, a cherished and adored grandson, Jace Conner; a sister Bernice Nufrio Drozd and her husband Richard of Linden, NJ; nieces, Lindsey and Erica Drozd; aunts, Gloria Nufrio and Agnes Imbriaco and her husband Val of New Jersey; sisters-in-law, Lois Kaminski and her husband Frank of Tallahassee, FL and Wanda Thomsen and her husband Jonny of Deltona, FL, as well as several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11:00 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. For those desiring to make memorial contributions, a scholarship fund will be established in Mary-Anne's honor. Donations can be mailed to the Mary-Anne N. Conner Scholarship at The High School Scholarship Foundation of Fairfield Inc., P.O. Box 682, Fairfield, CT 06824.