Niagara-Mary E Connis, 100, Manitowoc, Wis., formerly of Niagara, Wis., died peacefully Friday, July 21, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was born March 3, 1917, in Montrose, Mich., to the late Eva & Charles Hutchinson. Mary married James Connis, March 20, 1937, in Montrose. He preceded her in death during World War II on February 26, 1945. Mary worked initially in an apple orchard (where she met her husband), but during WWII was an original "Rosie the Riveter". After the war, she worked at Scramlin's Drug Store, which later became Duggan's Drug Store. After retirement, Mary moved to Niagara and made her home with her son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Ruth Connis, and helped them raise their family. History repeated itself because, in 1988, Mary moved in with her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Cathy & Mike Ley. She spent 29 years with them, helping them to raise their family. Mary's hobbies were bowling, gardening, canning, reading, playing cards, and crossword puzzles. She was an excellent cook & baker and was known for her chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, ribbon jello, "brown" chicken & milk gravy and her beautiful lamb cakes. She loved to travel and enjoyed the theater. What Mary truly loved the most were children and dogs. She is survived by her son, Chuck Connis (Sandy Raymond) of Niagara/Kingsford; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Connis of Atlanta, Mich.; her grandchildren: Cathy (Mike) Ley of Manitowoc, Wis., Chris (Mary) Connis of Green Bay, Wis., Shawn (Sara) Connis of Aiea, Hawaii, and Kelly (Scott) Marchant of Sobieski, Wis.; great grandchildren, Andrew (Laura) Ley of Green Bay, Wis., Adam (Nicole Schiltz) Ley and Aubrey (Alex Belfeuil) Ley of Manitowoc, Wis., Caleb Connis, Danny Miller, and Bailey Marchant of Green Bay, Wis., Dusty Connis & Rowan Connis of Aiea, Hawaii. Mary was blessed with special cousins (and their families) Kathleen Hitchcock, Bud Volz, Don & Ruth Volz, Dorothy Fent, & Chuck & Ruth Fent. She also loved Rita & Bill Bond (Dave, Angela, Tyler & Jace), the Hi-Lo Gang, Pat Ley & Jane & John Gutschow. Mary loved her dogs: Sasha, Sophie, Shiloh and Finnegan. They brought her much purpose and joy. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Jimmie Connis; and daughter-in-law, Ruth Connis. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home-Niagara Chapel. A prayer service will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery. The Connis family extends a special thank you to the many friends and family members who spent time with Mary over the years. She so enjoyed all those visits. The family also thanks the staff at Holy Family Hospital, Theda Clark Hospital and Hospice for the excellent, dignified, compassionate care given to Mary over the last week and a half. We are forever grateful. You may light a candle in remembrance of Mary or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com. The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel, to honor Mary's legacy of life.