Mary Anne Reilly Porto, 73, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 1, 2021, at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of 44 years to Frank P. Porto. Mary Anne was born in New Haven on September 21, 1948 and was the daughter of the late Charles and Eilleen Spellacy Reilly. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her RN as Valedictorian of her class. She was also a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. In 1997 she earned National Board Certification in School Nursing. Mary Anne worked at Yale New Haven Hospital for 19 years where she was a Head Nurse in the Pediatric Department and later was the School Nurse at Sacred Heart Academy for one year, followed by 18 years at Clintonville Elementary School, North Haven. She was a member of the Executive Board of the Association of School Nurses of CT since 1997, was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma and volunteered at the Shubert Theater. Mary Anne was and avid reader and was a member of the Next Chapter Book and Reading Club. In 2017, Mary Anne received the “School Nurse Advocate of the Year” award. She enjoyed summers on her beloved Cape Cod and winters in Florida. Mother of Kathleen (Edward) Drechsler of Cheshire and Robert (Janice Lewis) Porto of Falmouth, MA. Grandmother of Leah Rose and Emily Claire Lewis Porto. Sister of Elaine (Timothy) Mahin, Robert (Celia) Reilly, John Reilly and the late Kathleen Reilly.
The visiting hours will be on Wednesday, Oct. 6th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning, Oct. 7th at 10:00 in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Hamden. (Masks strictly required for all indoor services) Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Association of School Nurses of CT, 101 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Frank, Kathy, Bob and Family…..we are so sorry to hear of Mar’s passing. She was a beautiful person and so very special. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers and we will remember Maryanne with much love.
Kathy,
I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I send you my deepest condolences.
Karyn
Frank,
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Mary Ann was such a friendly and kind neighbor to us, most especially to Evan. May she Rest In Peace as she’s free from all the pain that was ever inflicted upon her in these past years.
~Trish & Patrick Sheridan
xo
I had the privilege of knowing this special lady. She will be missed.
I am so saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Mary Anne. My heart is so heavy with the loss of such a dear and kind friend. She was an amazing lady. My thoughts and prayers are with Frank and the family. May you find peace in knowing she is not suffering anymore. She will be so missed.
Dear Frank & Family
Our sincerest Sympathy to you and your family. Mary Ann is now at peace- she paid her dues here on earth and will now ride on the wings of angels up to heaven. Rest in peace our dear friend. Joe & Jack
Frank Bobby Kathy I’m so sorry for your loss. I just saw this today and I’m so sorry. Your mom was such a lovely woman. You have my sincere sympathy.
Frank, Mary and you will always have a place in my heart. While I appreciated Mary as a client for so many years, I never thought of her as one. It was always my pleasure to help her in anyway I could have. She was a pleasant and caring soul and I will miss her very much. I wish I could have made it in person to her Wake but my house became very sick just the day before. Making mourning family sick wasn’t on my list of ways of showing respect. Please, live everyday to your fullest knowing it’s what she would want and that she is with you all the while ❤.
My most clear memory of Mary Anne is after Hurricane Sandy. Mary Anne was in town and helped us demo a friend’s house so it could be salvaged. We had to do a lot of work tearing apart drywall etc so avoid mold. She was a trooper and was so happy to help out.