Honor Doreen Connolly's Legacy

Senate Resolution No. 2486 BY: Senator KENNEDY MOURNING the death of Doreen M. Connolly, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Doreen M. Connolly, an extraordinary woman of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life will long serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and WHEREAS, Doreen M. (O'Connor) Connolly, of Wynantskill, New York, died on Friday, January 3, 2020, at the age of 83; and WHEREAS, Born in Troy, New York, Doreen M. Connolly graduated from Catholic Central High School at 16 years old, a fact for which she was very proud; she went on to graduate from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Amsterdam, New York, becoming a Registered Nurse; and WHEREAS, Devoted to her profession, Doreen M. Connolly was employed at both the VA Hospital in Albany, New York, and the Leonard Hospital in Troy; and WHEREAS, While working as a Registered Nurse, Doreen met her beloved Thomas Connolly, whom she would wed on September 14, 1957; and WHEREAS, This remarkable woman began her governmental career working as a nurse for the New York State Training School for Girls in Wynantskill; she then went on to attend Hudson Valley Community College where she would graduate with the first class from the Mortuary Science program in 1972; in 1973, Doreen M. Connolly became a Licensed Funeral Director after completing her apprenticeship; and WHEREAS, Continuing her career in government, Doreen M. Connolly became the Town Clerk of North Greenbush, a Rensselaer County Legislator and Rensselaer County Clerk, for which she is the only woman to have held that position; and WHEREAS, Showing great strength and selflessness, Doreen M. Connolly spent countless hours offering her love, support and guidance to the children and people in her life, acting as a role model and inspiring them to develop to their fullest potential; and WHEREAS, Doreen M. Connolly is predeceased by her cherished husband, Thomas, her parents, and her beloved sister, Pat; she is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Jeff), and son, Thomas (Sharon); her treasured grandsons, Thomas and Ryan; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as her main care givers, Lisa and Nancy; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Doreen M. Connolly leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Doreen M. Connolly, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Doreen M. Connolly.