Brianna Marie Connelly

On Monday, June 27, 2022, Brianna Marie Connelly, our beloved daughter, sister, and granddaughter, passed away at age 21.

Brianna was born on February 9, 2001 at Anaheim Memorial Hospital, to Charles Connelly, Jr. and Pamela Aschbrenner. She is the second of three children, and has a younger sister, Morgan, an older brother, Sean, and her sister-in-law, Luz.

In June of 2001, she was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 1, and despite the initial prognosis of 2 years, lived most of her 21 years at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital in Orange; where caregivers and staff became extended family over the course of her life.   Although she couldn’t move, speak, or do anything for herself, Brianna could reach out and touch people’s hearts effortlessly.  She was often hope for people facing similar challenges, simply by being herself.

Brianna was not defined solely by SMA.  Brianna’s favorite color was always purple. She loved listening to Disney Princesses singing, and Ariel, was always her favorite, with Queen Elsa quickly becoming a very close second.  She had an expansive library of movies and TV shows including every Disney and Pixar movie available. She enjoyed watching other favorites like High School Musical, Harry Potter, and The Princess Bride. The amazing caregivers at HealthBridge made sure Brianna always had company and was entertained!

Brianna also loved spending time with her family. Everything from reading graphic novels of adventures far and away, playing games with bubbles, “Trouble”, “Polar Bear Bowling”, or having “spa days” that included lots of haircare, and a mani/pedis. She enjoyed learning, doing crafts, and putting together puzzles with her teachers which decorated her entire room. She adored dancing to music by using pillows in bed so she could slightly wiggle her legs against gravity. We took walks together in her wheelchair, down to nearby stores to shop and people watch, and to local museums or zoos for all-day “field trips”.  Brianna even got to have a big day at Disneyland, meeting all kinds of characters, where she got a special kiss on the cheek from Snow White!

Brianna is survived by her parents Charles, Pamela and Rory, her siblings Sean, Luz and Morgan, her grandparents Ken and Debra Halliday, Charles and Rennea Connelly, and Keith and JoAnn Ely, and her Godparents Mike and Wendy Meehan. She also has many aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of her family that all love her dearly.

Her funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 14th, 2022 at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Brea, CA at 10 o’clock a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brianna’s name to Cure SMA at www.curesma.org.