Pamela Bartlett

1936 - 2019

Pamela Ann (Connolly) Bartlett, 82, of Nantucket and Simsbury, died Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Residence at Brookside in Avon. She was born June 16, 1936 in Hartford, daughter of the late James C. and Virginia (Straughan) Connolly and grew up in Simsbury. She was a graduate of The Oxford School in West Hartford Class of 1954, received her B.A. in History and English from Trinity College, Washington, D.C. Class of 1958. Pam worked hard her whole life and thrived in business and education, she was employed early at Aetna Life & Casualty, implementing IBM systems, then received her M.A. in Education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Class of 1966 and taught 4th grade in Simsbury schools. In 1978 she went back to the Aetna as a Training Services manager in writing skills, then Aetna Institute as a Corporate Public Involvement manager, started her consulting firm teaching writing, speaking and negotiating skills to business executives and at independent schools, she managed a capital campaign for the Bushnell, then Development Director for the Canterbury School in Fort Myers, FL. Retirement in Nantucket didn't last as she took on the job of Assistant Principal at Nantucket High & Middle Schools for 4 years. Pam continued semi-retirement on the island, tutoring students and working at numerous art galleries. Pam was a selfless and generous friend and caregiver to many and her volunteer work was extensive, including Simsbury ABC House, Simsbury Historical Society, SLOCO, Hartford Hospital, Literacy programs, Nantucket - Historical Assoc, Cottage Hospital, Elder Services Council, and Education Trust. Pam enjoyed travel, golf, duplicate bridge, genealogy, book club, writing, needlepoint, entertaining, walking the beach, and many pets from dogs to horses. She maintained wonderful deep friendships that meant the world to her.She is survived by her greatest joy...her family including daughter, Sarah Bartlett (formerly Neighbours) and her husband Brian T. Grubelic of Simsbury; her brother, James P. Connolly of West Hartford; her much-loved grandchildren, Robert O. Neighbours IV and his wife Emma of Simsbury and Taylor Neighbours and his fiancée Alyse Gould of Stamford and great grandchildren, Robert V, Olivia and Whitney Neighbours; her sister-in-law, Judith Connolly of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; her nephews, Peter Connolly of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and Nicholas and his wife Michelle Connolly of Natick, Mass. She was predeceased by her husband, David L. Bartlett and her late in life partner, Edward H. Little.There are no calling hours. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 17th at St. Mary's Church, 946 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Burial will follow in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489 or at www.alz.org. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Pam's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.