Loretta Connelly, 85, a resident of Elk Grove Village for 62 years, passed away on November 18, 2024 due to complications from heart failure. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Gibberpatrick, County Wexford, Ireland, to Patrick and Bridget Banville, Loretta immigrated to Chicago in 1956. In 1958, she met the love of her life, John “Jack” Connelly, and together they raised four children, or “kiddles” as she fondly called them: Maura (Kevin) Wisniewski, Ann (John) Kaminski, John (Sara) Connelly, and Bridget (Jarod) Ingebrigtsen.

Loretta loved her family fiercely and was a loyal friend. She was a patient listener who always offered wise counsel. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, and was a long-time member of the Queen of the Rosary Bridge Club. In her retirement years, she cherished traveling with her husband, often deciding on a whim “to get in the car and go.”

She is survived by her loving husband, her children, and 13 grandchildren: Sarah (Rob) Johnson, Jerry (Amber) Wisniewski, Kevin (Carly) Wisniewski, Stephen Wisniewski, Tom (Caitlin) Kaminski, Natalie (Michael) Sells, Monica (Sebastian) Ostrowski, Anna (Andrew) Hutchison, Jack Connelly, Loretta (Joe) Locher, Dorothy (Nick) Patton, Steven Ingebrigtsen, and Sheelah Ingebrigtsen. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Joey and Maura, with great-grandchild Sells on the way.

Loretta will be dearly missed by her loving sister, Monica Plunkett, and her brother, Matt (Anne) Banville; sisters-in-law Jinx Kotowski, Jill Connelly, Alice (Dick) Nagle, Maureen Taylor, Carol (Tim) Downs, and Kathleen Banville; brother-in-law John (Linda) Connelly; and her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Joan and Mai (Sister Cabrini), and her brother, Stephen.

Loretta’s family would like to thank all the people who helped them care for her during her final months.

Visitation Friday, November 22, 2024 from 9 a.m. until time of Prayers 10:30 a.m. at Grove Memorial Chapel, 1199 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Proceeding to Queen of the Rosary Church, 750 W. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 for 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment Private. Info: 847-640-0566 or www.grovememorialchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Monastery of Mary the Queen, 15635 Greenridge Road, Girard, IL 62640, or online at www.opnunsil.org.