Mary Louise Connolly

In loving memory of a life well-lived and deeply cherished.

Obituary

Mary Louise Connolly, age 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN after a battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Mary was born February 22, 1948 in Chicago, IL to Charles and Helen (Nehls) Buhrow. She attended Southern Utah University where she earned her teaching degree.

Mary gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly and shortly after moved to Germany to start working as a teacher for DODDS. While in Germany, she adopted her son Erik and a few years later moved to Okinawa, Japan and finally settled in Misawa, Japan. She loved exploring the world, skiing, scuba diving, glass ball hunting, reading, and shopping. Every summer she and her kids would return to the States to visit friends and family and to explore new places.

Mary married Bob Vittoe on May 1st, 2008. After 32 years, Mary retired from DODDS in 2015 they moved to Northfield to be closer to her children. Mary and Bob spent a lot of time traveling around the country visiting friends and family. When they weren’t traveling, you could find them playing dominos or taking their dogs out for walks.

Mary is survived by her Husband Bob Vittoe, daughter Kimberly Rogers (Eric) of Lakeville, Erik Buhrow (Beth) of Burnsville, her brother Kevin Buhrow of Northfield, and many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father Charles Buhrow and brother Chuck Buhrow.

A private celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in her memory to one of the following charities that were close to her heart; Reading Is Fundamental at rif.org, American Cancer Society at cancer.org

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Mayo for their unwavering support throughout this challenging time. 

Memory wall

August 24, 2024

I worked for many years with Mary at Sollars ES and always enjoyed spending time with her. She was always fun to be around and the games of Chicken Foot and Mexican Train are some of my fondest memories. She and I always laughed about the time we were in mainland China and the kids kept coming to our bus and pointing at the white haired lady and the Black lady.
Rest in peace Mary and my condolences to Bob, Kimberly and Eric.

Lula B Woodard

August 24, 2024

I met Mary and Kimberly when they arrived in Nuremberg in 1984. I arrived about 2 months before them. We enjoyed exploring and discovering new places/journeys in and around Nuremberg!

Photo from Fall 1986
Lydia,Mary and Ella Jenkins

‘“ Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.” Michael W Smith

Mary lived a life well lived! My love and prayers to her family!

Lydia Saro

August 24, 2024

My heart breaks for Mary's friends, but especially for her family. I cannot even grasp the idea of what it would mean to lose one's mother. She did indeed have a life well lived, never missing an opportunity to leave her mark on the people and animals she met and the places she went. Her career as a teacher impacted many students who live all around the world today. What a wonderful legacy.

Michell Rogers

August 6, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about Mary's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with those closest to her as they reflect on her life.

Gary Murphy

August 5, 2024

Doug and I are so sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. She will be missed by everyone. Sending love and prayers to the family.

Darlynn Kelsey

August 5, 2024

I worked with Mary for many years at Sollars Elementary School in Misawa, Japan. I was saddened to hear of her passing. Mary was a great teacher and a wonderful person. She will be missed by many. RIP Mary and my condolences to the family.

Gary Giorgis

August 5, 2024

Mary was kind to pause for friendly conversation in the hallways at Sollars Elementary in Japan. She made newcomers feel welcome. Rest peacefully Mary.

Cynthia Buckley

August 5, 2024

We knew Mary in Misawa. She was so full of life and fun. Our daughters were good friends.
Eric and Kimmy, I hope all the wonderful memories you shared with your mom over the years will help you during this difficult time.
Cathy and Lloyd Dahlberg

Cathy Dahlberg

August 5, 2024

Mary was an important part of our Sollars faculty. She was always there to help and support all students and teachers. RIP

David W Kelts

August 5, 2024

Mary was the kindest, most helpful person when I arrived at Misawa. We shared many dinners at the club on base and always talked about things we would do and planned outings for weekends and during breaks from school. I missed her being at school when she retired, but kept in touch through email. She will be missed by many. She helped me get settled in when I got to Misawa, which made it easier for me to settle in after I arrived. Rest in peace my friend. I miss you and will always remember you.

Cindy Vahle

August 4, 2024

Mary was always kind, thoughtful, and welcoming to others. She helped me over the years with school and family projects and provided get-togethers to share meals and dominoes!I will miss her phone calls that lasted up until the end! Love from Phyllis, Ramon, Raul, Sirena, and Matt

Phyllis Bernal

August 4, 2024

I loved Mary. She was onced married to my cousin. But she never forgot about us nor did we forget about her. She always came back to Tennessee to visit us. I will miss her. She was so sweet.

Linda Callins

August 4, 2024

Mary was a kind and generous soul. My arrival to Misawa was at a very low point in my life. Mary and Bob provided love, advice, help, adventures, laughter, and Mary was always there to listen and with her supportive, kind nature, I got over the hump and grew to love all that Misawa had to offer.
Mary was a blessing to me.The fondest memory I have of Mary and Bob is when they took me to Statue of Liberty Park. I was a bit homesick for NY and they took me there and we had a great walk and dinner out. It was my favorite park and we walked the dogs there often.
RIP… My friend.

Lori OBrien

August 4, 2024

Mary was a shining light! My first year teaching she took me under her wing. She was an incredible mentor. She would visit us in AZ while traveling in the summer.

Sandy Otjen

August 4, 2024

Mary was a people person. She loved family. And included us in gatherings at her house, where her and Bob introduced us to “Chicken Foot” and was as much a staple as good food she always prepared. We were not gamers, but she made sure we had loads of fun. We will miss her deeply. RIP Mary

Dan & Mayumi Rogers