Mary J. Connors

Mary J. Connors, age 78, of Black Earth, passed away Wednesday, December 09, 2020, at Pine Valley Community Village in Richland Center. Mary J. Connors was born June 11, 1942, to Phillip and Margaret (Flamme) Winslow, the fourth of five sisters who were raised on a farm in Twin Bluffs, WI. Through her father Phillip, Mary was a descendant of Edward Winslow, an original Plymouth Colony settler who served as a peacekeeper and diplomat. Mary inherited her love of baking from Margaret and her passion for literature was handed down from Phillip, who was not only a farmer, but also an English teacher. Mary attended Ithaca High School and dated Tom “Jim” Connors but they broke up and lost touch after graduating in 1959; but their story picks up again in 2007! Mary attended the Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, MN, and met Tom Jones. They were married in 1963 and moved to Europe for Tom’s job with Control Data, where they enjoyed the food, skied the mountains, and lived in different countries. In 1972 they moved back to the states living first in Cazenovia, WI, Forest Lake, MN, and finally settling in Saratoga Springs, NY. Tom and Mary had two girls, René and Tanya. Mary and the girls moved back to Wisconsin in 1985 when she and Tom divorced. Mary then renewed her nursing license and worked at Pine Valley Manor retirement home. Nursing the elderly brought her joy and she would be employed at Pine Valley until she retired as a floor supervisor in 1999. In 1989 she married Dave Freestone and became stepmom to Shawn and Jennifer Freestone, and eventually grand-mother to Sierra, Jennifer’s daughter, and great grandmother to Carter, Sierra’s son. In 2000 Dave passed away. Mary reconnected with her high school sweetheart Jim Connors and they were married in 2007. They enjoyed exploring dusty back country roads together, trips in Jim’s semi, and playing cards with family. Extended Winslow gatherings with her sisters’ families at the annual Easter basket hunt were highlights she also enjoyed. She will be remembered for her nurturing nature, excellent Christmas cookie baking, singing loudly off-key, taking long bubble baths, and reading all kinds of books, but especially mysteries. Survivors include her husband Thomas “Jim” Connors of Black Earth, WI; 2 daughters, René (Michael) Halasy and Tanya (Phil) Plonka both of Rochester, MN; 2 grandsons, Ethan and Anton Plonka; 6 step children, Jennifer (Mike) Strom, Shawn Freestone, Karlyn (Bill) Guy, Nancy (Doug) Moul, Thomas (DeAnna) Connors, Michelle (Chris) Music; 9 step grandchildren including Sierra Tourdot and Kendyl Halasy; 1 step great grandchild, Carter; 2 sisters, Alice Richards, Ruth (Neal) Anderson both of Ithaca, WI; and a large extended family of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Carol Amelong and Charlotte Williams, and past husbands Tom Jones and Dave Freestone. A private family funeral will be held at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held summer 2021. Given Mary’s lifelong dedication to the nursing profession, in lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be made in her name to Project Legacy. Funds raised will support a designated student currently starting in the RCTC nursing program. https://projectlegacymn.org/donate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsOK9KMZmhI&feature=youtu.be .

Mary J. Connors

June 11, 1942 - December 9, 2020