Rose "Rosie" Marie Connelly, 61, of Leonardtown, MD died April 6, 2008 at her residence. Born December 23, 1946 in Leonardtown, MD she was the daughter of the late George Washington and Margaret Theresa Russell Connelly. She was the loving wife of Hershel V. "Jr." McLeod whom she married on December 30, 1988.

She is survived by her brother G. Martin Connelly, Sr. and his wife Fern of Leonardtown, MD, her nephews G.M. Connelly, Jr. of Baltimore, MD and Michael Connelly of Leonardtown, MD and her niece Michelle Connelly of Leonardtown, MD; She was preceded in death by her sister Linda Reed Connelly.

Rosie was a life long St. Mary's County resident where she graduated from Leonardtown High School, Class of 1963. She was employed for 33 years at the AT&T Telephone Company as a storekeeper and retired in 1996. At the time of her death, she was employed by Wentworth's Nursery, Prince Frederick, MD, where she was a loyal employee for over 20 years and her employees were like her second family in which she loved to laugh and joke with.

Rosie was a fun loving and hard working woman, if you knew her, you loved her. Her laughter was contagious and her house the "funny farm" described her perfectly, she had dogs, geese, turkeys, goats and over 50 chickens. All of these animals had individual names in which Rosie had given them. Perhaps her favorite was her dog Sugar Bear, since she had no children, Sugar Bear was like her child. She enjoyed gardening, yellow roses, collecting Boyd's Bears, animals, getting pedicures, going to Starbucks, collecting hats and Crown Royal. Rosie truly had a zest for life. Her brother Martin was the apple of her eye; they always had many funny stories to tell on each other. Everything was always about "Marty" and his family. Rosie will be greatly missed and will always be remembered as a great friend, loving sister, crazy aunt, hard worker, true country girl and an angel sent from God. We Love You Rosie!

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM with Deacon Lou Koeniger officiating. Interment will be Private.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.