Maria Connell (Lucatuorto) of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Grand Island and Flushing, NY, came to eternal rest on September 3, 2018 after a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of Peter and Raffaela Lucatuorto born May, 1950. She was a graduate of John Bowne High School in Flushing, NY.

Maria was the wife of Thomas Connell for 48 years, mother of Laura (Travis) Layton of West Linn, Oregon and Michael Connell of Lodi, California, grandmother of Austin Connell, and Cookie Grandma to Hanna and Graham Layton. She is survived by brothers Michael and John, and their families.

Maria dedicated her life to the protection and education of children through her work at the Grand Island Memorial Library, Huth Road Elementary School on Grand Island, NY, and Saint Paul's Catholic School in Leesburg, FL.  She was an active member of her parish communities, Saint Stephen on Grand Island, NY and Saint Timothy in Lady Lake, FL. An avid reader and appreciator of a warm cup of tea, she especially cherished time with family and friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, 1351 Page Place, Lady Lake, Florida, at 8:30 am on Monday, September 17, 2018.

Inurnment will take place immediately following at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, Ocala, Florida.

For those wishing to contribute, in lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Paul Catholic School VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program may be made in Maria's name to:  Saint Paul's Catholic School, 1320 Sunshine Avenue, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Attn: Geri Connell.