Patricia T. "Tricia" Connors

Springfield - Patricia “Tricia” (Rooke) Connors, 64, departed this life on Friday, November 13, 2020 at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center in the care of her husband and family. 

Born on August 2, 1956, she was a cherished daughter of the late Donald and Theresa
(O’Connor) Rooke. For the past 21 years, she was the wife of Daniel “Joe” Connors – the love of her life.

Tricia was born and lived in Springfield then Longmeadow, graduating from LHS in 1974. At seven, she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and began her long and joyful association with Clara Barton Camp as a camper then a counselor.

A lover of sport and games, she played softball and field hockey in school and as an adult triumphantly solved word puzzles in record time. She earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education at Leicester Junior College, working initially in child care.

For the past decade, she worked at the East Longmeadow Stop & Shop as a cashier, appreciated by customers and colleagues for her original jokes and sunny smile.

In addition to her husband, Tricia is survived by her brother, Brian Rooke (Dawn) of Holden, MA; her sisters Maryalice Ryan of Stamford, CT and Christine Overstreet (Gerry) of Longmeadow; sister-in-law Judy Connors of Springfield and brother-in-law Frank Connors of East Longmeadow; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother Donal Rooke and sister Ann Rooke.

Family and friends are invited to a calling hour on Thursday, November 19th, from 9-10 AM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. The funeral mass will also take place on November 19th at 11AM at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Rd., Springfield. Kindly wear masks; social distancing will be observed.

Memorial donations may be made to The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc., P.O. Box 356, North Oxford, MA 01537 (bartoncenter.org)

www.forastiere.com