2022 -- S 2951

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LC006003

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MARY DONNELLY

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: May 19, 2022

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Mary

Donnelly, a registered nurse who cared deeply and generously for Block Island's residents for

more than 55 years; and

     WHEREAS, In 1958, Mary Donnelly arrived on Block Island with her husband and her

growing family for what was supposed to be a temporary assignment, but soon became a lifetime

of caring for the medical needs of island residents and ultimately included establishing a

charitable fund to help those in need to pay utility bills, mortgage payments, tuition and medical

bills, or buy food or heating oil; and

     WHEREAS, As the only licensed medical professional on the island, Mrs. Donnelly

worked with the rescue squad, served as President of the Medical Services Committee, and was

one of the founders of the Block Island Medical Center, where she worked when not making

whatever house calls and home visits were needed; and

     WHEREAS, In 1984, after seeing first-hand the plight of many of her island neighbors,

Mrs. Donnelly established The Mary D. Fund, a nonprofit which was funded by collection jar

donations placed around the island, as well as generous donations from various benefactors, and

the annual Mary D. Ball. Each year, she was able to raise and allocate about $50,000 to islanders

in need; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Donnelly continued her nursing until 2013, when at the age of 85, she

finally retired, but with the help of her daughter, she remained active with the Mary D. Fund until

2021; and

     WHEREAS, In 2021, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence recognized Mrs.

Donnelly with the Lumen Gentium Award in Community Service and Charitable Outreach for

her efforts on behalf of Block Islanders. She was also honored many times with various news

pieces about her efforts and devotion to the poor; and

     WHEREAS, A woman of deep faith, Mary Donnelly had been a parish trustee, and

served as lector, Eucharistic minister, parish council, finance council, and leader in the Ladies

Guild; and

     WHEREAS, Mary Donnelly's large and loving family included her late husband, John

Donnelly, and seven children, Marguerite Donnelly, Patricia Hiller, Mary Ann Tapia, Elizabeth

Masci, Michael Donnelly, and the late John Donnelly Jr., and Kathleen Donnelly. She was also

the beloved grandmother of six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, There is no doubt that Mary Donnelly, a truly admirable and amazing

woman, left Block Island a far better place because of her life’s work. She enriched the lives of

all who knew her, and her empathy and compassion for those in need was boundless and an

inspiration to us all; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest

condolences on the passing of Mary Donnelly; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Marguerite Donnelly, Patricia Hiller, Mary Ann

Tapia, Elizabeth Masci, and Michael Donnelly.

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LC006003

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