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Linda Connolly Obituary
Linda Harding Connolly, a longtime Middletown resident, died on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at home after a courageous 20-year battle with cancer. She was 60.
The daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Flannagan Harding, she was born on November 18, 1947 in Manhattan, NY. She married Walter Bernard Connolly on June 15, 1968 in New York City. Walter predeceased her on June 7, 1995.
Linda received her master's degree in Nursing and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1984, while pregnant with her fourth son and working two jobs. She helped set up Sullivan County College's Nursing Program, then left to eventually become the Assistant Chair of O.C.C.C.'s Nursing Dept.
Linda was a woman of indomitable strength and faith who never gave up. Generous with her time and guidance, people always sought her knowledge and advice. She was thoughtful, compassionate and grateful for the life and love of her children and their families. Her heart was open to everyone who knew her right up until the end of her life here with us.
She is survived by her four sons, Thomas and his partner, Jeffrey Vida of Bloomfiled, CT, Walter and his wife, Lori of Middletown, Brendan and his wife, Randi of Monroe and Kevin of Glendale, Queens; one brother, Pete and his wife, Patricia of Middletown; three sisters, Janet and Patricia Harding, both of Middletown and Maureen Fean and her husband, Scott of Mildford, PA. Linda is also survived by three granddaughters, Abigail, Molly and Sophia, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Linda's husband Walter predeceased her on June 7, 1995.
Visitation hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown, NY. Burial will follow in the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery, Middletown, NY.
Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements by Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home. 845-343-6309 or www.applebee-mcphillips.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Linda Connolly
Delia Egan
August 20, 2008
I am so terribly saddened to learn of the loss of my cousin Linda - always an inspiration from my earliest childhood memories at the bungalows in Milford and the apartment in Washington Heights - the most fun an only child from Queens could have was a visit to my Aunt Mary's and Uncle Tom's and Linda held movie star status in my eyes. Years later her courage in the face of her illness and grief over the loss of her dear husband - the way she cared for Walter at the end and her Mom and Dad - are a tribute to the person she was. My thoughts and prayers are with her entire family at this very difficult time.
Ellen Mahony
August 11, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Linda, she was a mentor to me as a faculty member of SUNY Orange. She will be greatly missed by many and fought a valiant battle against the cancer she had. I, too, lost my mother to this terrible illness too soon. Linda loved her family and friends and my condolences to all the family mourning her and celebrating her life. I thought the rain was very symbolic today of how sad we are today and am sorry I could not attend her services due to work obligations as a nurse myself.
Kerri Fields
August 11, 2008
Thom...Robert and I are thinking of you and your faimly during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and for the days ahead. May the memories you share be a blessing in your heart.
Barbara Carroll Hickey
August 10, 2008
I was so sorry to hear that Linda has passed away. Linda and I went to high school together and kept in touch via mutual friends for a number of years. I last saw Linda in 1997 when we got together to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of our high school friends– just two years after Walter had died.
Linda was a very special person – courageous, hardworking, super intelligent but also very light-hearted (a rare combination), loving, caring and loyal. I know she found so much happiness in being Walter’s wife and the mother of their four sons. Before marriage and children, she had that same kind of love and fierce loyalty for her parents, siblings and friends – which continued throughout her life.
It was an honor to have known Linda. She will certainly be missed by many. My warmest wishes to her family for endless beautiful memories of her extraordinary life.
In peace,
Barbara Carroll Hickey
Fay Hudson
August 10, 2008
To The Connolly Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Linda's passing. She was a courageous, intelligent, sincere person and will be truly missed. I worked with her in the Nursing department for 10 years. She was an excellent teacher and administrator. It was well know how much she loved her sons and family. And what a great story teller, she always made me laugh. I am sure you will all keep her spirit alive, because what a spirit it was! My prayers are with you all - Fay Hudson
John Cross
August 9, 2008
Kevin and Family,
We're so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.
The Cross Family
Brenda Walsh
August 9, 2008
To the entire Connolly Family,
Linda was a very special person, with a lot of personality. It was a true pleasure to know her and work for her. Her family and friends meant the world to her. I will always remember her stories at work. Oh, the grandbabies - she was so happy to see them; she talked about them all the time. She told me I would love being a grandmother & the end of June I became one, she was right!! My heart goes out to all of you.
Anne Wargo
August 9, 2008
I am so sorry to hear this news.
Linda was a great friend to me throughout H.S. and College and I only have wonderful memories of our times together.
I witnessed first hand the profound love she had for her family and what it meant to her to become Walter's wife and a Mom.
Her's was the Dorm Room we would gather in every Sunday night -listening to Bob Dylan and chatting about the weekend- of course she had the best stories.
Never did I hear her say a bad word about anyone.
She was brilliant-an outstanding student, nurse and friend.
My life was changed for the better for having known her and she will live in my heart forever.
lydia harris
August 9, 2008
Thom, my thoughts and prayers, are with you and your family.
Those, she left behind, are the ones suffering now. You were a wonderful son and she's smiling down on you.
gerri ingles
August 9, 2008
Thom and Walter I am so sorry about your mom my thoughts and prayers are with you all I wish I could be there.
Donna Kleister
August 9, 2008
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Linda Connolly. I remember her most for her courage, humor and professionalism as a Nursing colleague. Donna Kleister RN MS (former faculty member of SCCC)
Deb Klingman
August 8, 2008
Kevin...we are so sorry to hear about your mom. We will remember her always, she was great in so many ways... as a Mom, as a Nurse ,as a friend ... words alone are not enough... Peace and Love to you and all of your family...Rick, Deb and Chris Klingman
Theresa & John Curley
August 8, 2008
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
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