Mary Elizabeth (Handley) Connor
Mary Elizabeth (Handley) Connor died on May 13, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. She lived a full life that was always focused on others, in both her work and personal life. Her greatest joy was helping others, travel (especially Disney), and seeing family.
Born September 8, 1942, in Evanston, Illinois to James L. and Margaret L (Kirwin) Handley, both natives of Lowell, Massachusetts. She lived in many states during her early years due to father’s career. She graduated from Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in 1963.
Over the years, she received a BS in Psychology, Masters in Education, and a Masters in Human Services from New England College, and a Masters in Nursing from Rivier College.
She was employed at Saint Joseph Hospital in Nashua for 28 years. Starting as an RN in the Emergency Department and leaving there as a Clinical Coordinator of Trauma Services. After becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, she started her career at the Manchester VA Medical Center and continued her employment there for 22 years. At the time of her retirement in March 2022 she was the Chief of Urgent Care at that facility.
For 26 years she was employed part time at the Health Stop in Nashua, as well as Health Services at Rivier University. At the time of her death, she was the Medical Director of Health Services at Rivier.
Her love of Emergency Department Nursing led her to a very active interest and participation in Emergency Medical Services in the State of New Hampshire. She was a member of Region II EMS Council and the Chairman of the Training Committee for 15 years. She became an EMT instructor, and taught and took the first EMT-Intermediate Course in the State of New Hampshire. She was proud to be an Associate Faculty Member in the Paramedic Program at the Concord Technical Institute and New England EMS at Elliot Hospital. She was a member of the Granite State Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team, which allows providers in the EMS system to assist their coworkers when they need support after experiencing a critical incident.
She was proud to be the recipient of the YWCA Distinguished Woman Leader award, the Louis Sleeper Award for contributions to EMS, and the Pamela Mitchell/Richard Connolly EMS Achievement Award.
She was predeceased by the love of her life, David J. Connor, MD, her beloved son and daughter James and Karen Stys, and her most loved grandson Stephen David Strong.
Survivors include David J. Connor, Jodi Connor, Sheri Macpherson, Jeffrey Strong, and Kenneth (Georgette) Stys. She is especially grateful for being blessed with her fantastic grandchildren Jacob Stys, Taylor Connor, Ryan Connor and Marissa Stys. She is also survived by her brother James L. Handley of Sarasota, Florida, her sisters Margaret (John) Feeney and Judith Handley of Framingham, her nieces Maris Handley, Mary Kate Feeney, Courtney Southgate and her nephews James L. Handley and John J. Feeney. She is proud to have Celine Fortin, William Emond, Daniel Dolan and the EMS community as her extended family. She is extremely grateful to have John and Nancy Stanton in her life and thank them for the years of care and love.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 17th from 4pm – 7pm in the Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Ferry Street in Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 10am in St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road in Hudson. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations be made in Liz’s loving memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at www.dana-farber.org/ To share an online message of condolence please visit www.dumontsullivan.com The Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home in Hudson is in charge of arrangements.