Suzanne Santry Connolly

MARBLEHEAD — Suzanne Santry Connolly, of Marblehead, died peacefully, Oct. 29, 2009 after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Stephen J. Connolly III.

Born in Boston, to the late Arthur J. Santry and Suzanne Cawley Santry, Sue grew up in Brookline and attended The Park School, graduated from The Winsor School and Wellesley College where she was vice president of her class. She worked at the Radiation Lab at MIT during World War II and later studied under I.M. Pei at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Sue was involved in civic affairs for many years as an active member of many organizations including The Vincent Club. She was a long serving Board Member of The North Shore Children's Hospital, The North Shore Children's Friend and Family Service Society (now Children's Friend and Family Services), and the Boston Port & Seamen's Aid Society. Sue's love of grammar, sailing, and history made her a natural for her leadership as one of the Chairs of the Historical Committee overseeing the research and publication of the History of The Eastern Yacht Club: A History from 1870-1985.

A strong, independent woman with a competitive streak, Sue enjoyed sailing, golf, tennis, and a lot of bridge along the way. She started a lifetime of sailing and racing as a child in Brutal Beasts, and moved on to Q boats and a variety of other one design and cruising yachts. She continued her sailing through the summer of 2009 on Taygeta, the wooden sloop she and Steve have owned for 33 years. Sue loved the water whether she was cruising the coast of Maine or calling tactics around the buoys.

Her competitive spirit flowed as well when she stood on the sidelines to cheer on her children and especially her seven grandchildren as they played a variety of sports from season to season. There was no more loyal fan than "Gunny" as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren. Sue's enthusiasm for her family, giving back to the community, and athletics was perhaps only surpassed by her enthusiasm for education. She supported and encouraged her children and her grandchildren in all of their efforts. She never stopped learning herself and delved into whatever topic was at hand making sure that she was fully informed before any decision or vote.

In addition to her husband, Sue is survived by her children, Stephen J. Connolly IV and his wife Janet (Ducky), and their children, Page Connolly Minshall and her husband Thaddeus Minshall and Stephen (Jay); David Connolly and his wife Stephanie and their children, Alison, David and Peter; and Suzanne Connolly Levere and her husband Lawrence and their children, Julia and James. Sue also leaves her brother, Joseph R. Santry; and her sister, Margaret Santry. She was predeceased by her brother, Arthur J. Santry, Jr.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 91 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, MA 01945. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Monday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (corner North Street), Salem. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Friend & Family Services. For online guest book or additional information, please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.