Brenda A. Connelly, 68, died at home on Tuesday, November 12, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born in Salem, daughter of John J. and Eleanor (Conners) Connelly. She attended St. James Grammar School and High School. She graduated from Emanuel College, and received her Masters in Special Education from Salem State. Brenda taught special needs students in Salem and Peabody, and spent the last 18 years before her retirement working in the Saugus schools where she was loved by her students and her colleagues.

Brenda is survived by a son, John Connelly, and a granddaughter, Alicia Morasse, who both resided with her, a daughter, Jessica Morasse, and a grandson, Ricardo Watson. She leaves two sisters, Kathleen and Virginia Connelly of Salem, two brothers, John and Pauline Connelly of Topsfield and Paul Connelly and Karen Roche of Beverly, and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Connelly of Reading. She leaves three nephews, Chuck, Stephen and Michael Connelly , six nieces, Janice, Kimberly, Christine, Meg, Kara, and Elena, who was her special caregiver during her illness, and many grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her many friends in the Baha'hi community who loved and supported her. She was predeceased by a sister, Maureen, and a brother Brian.

Her funeral services will be held in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem, MA at 10A.M. on Friday, November 15, 2013. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be TODAY, Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brenda Connelly Memorial Fund, c/o Susan Osborne, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 101-F
Beverly, MA 01915. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.