Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 05:25:28 :
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, May 26, 2002
A24
CONNELLY-TWITTY, Mary - 49, balanced her fast-paced 20-year career as media director for high-tech ad agencies in the S.F. Bay Area by teaching religious values, morals and ethics to young children in Catholic parishes on the S.F. Peninsula. Respected by top high-tech executives for effective multi-million-dollar media programs, she was also sought after by church leaders for her teaching skills and her ability to establish a rapport with children in a classroom setting. At the height of her dual career in January 2001, serving as media director for the PointBlank Marketing agency in Campbell and teaching at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish near her home in Belmont, Mary discovered that she had developed advanced ovarian cancer, the same illness that had taken the life of famous comedienne Gilda Radner. During the next 16 months, she fought the disease aggressively with dignity and grace, instructing her family to carry on as normally as possible without disrupting the lives of her two sons, Ryan (14) and Devin (11). On May 22 at 4:18 a.m., Mary lost her battle and died at Stanford University's Peterson Cancer Clinic, surrounded by her family. Although overcome by an aggressive, unforgiving, deadly illness, Mary never gave up her fight and organized her treatment schedule to remain active in guiding her children's development. Mary's cancer won the battle but never defeated her. She never wavered and never complained, even in times of great discomfort, and inspired family and medical professionals alike. Mary is survived by her husband; Roy Twitty; children Ryan and Devin Twitty; her parents John and Betty Connelly of Napa, CA; sisters Betty Jespersen of Twin Harte, CA; Lorene Ellyson of Jackson, CA; Patricia Pizza of San Anselmo, CA: Kathleen Kinda of Napa. CA; Joan Correa of Santa Rosa, CA; Jean Connelly of San Francisco, CA; and brother Robert Connelly of Salt Lake City, UT. A Vigil Service will be held Monday, May 27, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church, 880 Tamarack Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070. A Mass of Resurrection to celebrate Mary's life will take place at St. Charles Church on Tuesday, May 28, at 10:00 a.m., and a reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will be in the Connelly family plot in St. Helena. CA. Rather than sending flowers, family and friends are requested to make donations instead, to the educational fund being set up for Mary's children at Wells Fargo Bank, Educational Fund, 1045 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002. For more information on ovarian cancer, check with these addresses on the Internet: www.ovarian.org & www.gildsclub.org Duggans Belmont (650) 591- 8218
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