Catherine Mary Connolly

Connolly, Catherine Mary VOORHEESVILLE Catherine Mary Connolly sailed away from this earth on the evening of April 5, 2012, surrounded by her family and wrapped in all of her quilts. Her 42 years were filled with innumerable adventures, far more than most others would ever hope to enjoy. Catherine had an incredible spirit, and each day she would awaken to impulsively choose the best that life had to offer. She loved to sleep late and never once met an alarm clock that she liked. For more than four decades, she smiled, wrote poetry, traveled, drank, smoked, sailed, and spent every dime she ever earned. Catherine was generous, compassionate, and kind to all, except for people who ticked her off, and was well loved by scores of family members, friends and co-workers. She had a spontaneous wit, which was largely unedited, and would poke fun at anyone and anything. To say that she was irreverent is a huge understatement. Catherine was a graduate of Clayton A. Bouton Junior-Senior High School in Voorheesville, N.Y. She then took seven years to earn a four-year degree in English and women's studies from the University at Albany. Catherine was a world traveler, having lived in England, where she worked on an archaeological dig. She lived in the Pacific Northwest and Corpus Christi, Texas, aboard her beloved boat, Madrona. She also lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Beaufort, N.C. and New York City, before returning to her hometown of Voorheesville, N.Y. Catherine had countless friends all over the world, including the insane crew on Sailing Anarchy, many of whom she had never met in person. Her last wish was that people would remember her for her poetry, her compassion and kindness, and her humor. She is survived by her parents, Kenneth J. and Diane Connolly, of Voorheesville; her sister, Christine Tolbert and brother-in-law Doug; and nieces, Molly and Audrey and nephew, Alan of Shippensburg, Penn.; her brother, Kevin Connolly, and sister-in-law, Megan; nephews, Zachary and Ethan, of Altamont, nephew Carson Adams, of Clifton Park; and niece, Cloe Leininger; nephew-in-law, Anthony, and great-niece, Olivia, of Fort Lewis, Wash. Catherine was fearless, and her final act while on this earth was to smile before taking her last breath. Whatever she saw coming her way must have been absolutely wonderful. Look for her when you get there, she'll be the one having a really good time. As an avid reader and writer, it would have given great joy to Catherine to know that anyone who wishes honor her love of the written word would please give to the Voorheesville Public Library at 51 School Street, Voorheesville, NY 12186. As a thrill-seeking sailor, Catherine also found pleasure in sharing the joy of the wind and water with others, and anyone who wishes to honor her spirit of adventure would please give to the Spike Perry Memorial Scholarship Fund at www.spikeperryfund.org. The fund will provide scholarship money for deserving students from the Perry's hometown waters to learn more about sailing, seamanship and the region's rich maritime traditions. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Post 1493, at 31 Voorheesville Avenue, Voorheesville, N.Y. All are invited to join us to celebrate Catherine's brief but remarkable life. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com