Barbara Ann Connors (McAleney), 94, of Rumford and Narragansett, (OFD), passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, with family by her side. She was born in Dorchester, MA, on January 13, 1930, the daughter of the late Thomas McAleney and Madeline (Spillane). She graduated from JE Burke High School. Barbara married her husband Thomas F. Connors in 1951 and eventually moved to Rumford, RI in 1956 where they raised their six children. Barbara is survived by her children, Thomas F. Connors (Abigail) of Rumford, Karen M. Woulfe (Jim) of Murfreesboro, TN, Eileen M. Donovan (Tim) of Orange,CT, Kevin M. Connors (Kathleen) of Narragansett, and Joseph P. Connors of Rumford. She is also survived by her grandchildren; James Woulfe, Brian Woulfe, Shannon Woulfe, Christopher Donovan, Daniel Donovan, Michael Donovan, Kristyna Connors, Jamie Connors, Michaela Connors and Catherine Connors, as well as numerous great grand-children. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her husband Thomas, her son Michael as well as her siblings, Thomas, Clare and Richard, and daughter in-law Kathy Connors. Barbara's youngest son, Joseph, was born in 1968 with Downs Syndrome and she became a dedicated advocate for special needs children. She was influential in organizing and encouraging groups to include special needs children and help support their friends and families. She was a longtime board member for The ARC of Blackstone Valley, and Special Olympics of RI was very dear to her heart. Barbara's husband Tom passed away in 1972 and she held many different jobs over the next 40 plus years to support her family. In 2001, she bought her dream "cottage" in Narragansett where she enjoyed coaching URI students about off campus living during the academic year and getting to know many repeat summer visitors in the Eastward Look neighborhood near Scarborough Beach. Barbara was a proud Irish Catholic Democrat. She was a longtime member of the East Providence Democratic City Committee (Ward One) and RI Democratic State Committee and represented RI as a delegate at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Barbara flew Irish flags at her homes in both Rumford and Narragansett and proclaimed her Boston Irish Heritage with great pride. She was a member of the Ireland 32 Society and enjoyed her yearly Cruise with the Irish Stars where she enjoyed the music of Andy Cooney as well as dining and dancing with many friends from around the country. The family would like to thank friends, neighbors and family who called and visited Barbara over the years providing her with an opportunity to create new memories and relive many old memories from her life, fondly referred to by many as a legend. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM in St. Margaret Church located on 1098 Pawtucket Avenue, Rumford. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. Visitation will be on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara can be made to: Special Olympics of RI www.specialolympicsri.org 370 George Washington Hwy., Smithfield RI 02917, or to The ARC of Blackstone Valley www.bvcriarc.org 500 Prospect St., Pawtucket RI 02860.
