Susan H. (Senna) Connolly, a wonderful woman of Warwick, died Sunday December 11, 2016 at her home.
Born on a homestead in Montana, in 1917, to the late Henry and Harriett Senna, gold star wife of Walter Connolly, who died in the Normandy invasion, World War II, Susan was beloved in her large extended family, and spent her final days in their loving care. Susan moved to Warwick in 1943, built a home, and lived in Greenwood and Pawtuxet Village most of her adult life. She raised her family here and actively participated in her community, profession and church. Susan was a hero and inspiration to all who knew her. She leaves a legacy of kindness, understanding, compassion, generosity, and caring, thoughtfulness and deep spirituality. She was a woman of action and integrity. She worked as a nurse for over 50 years, retired and joined the Peace Corps where she was stationed in Liberia, Africa. She also cooked at McAuley House, delivered Meals on Wheels and provided comfort and care for many in ways too numerous to articulate. Susan was also a world traveler, seeing much of the world with her good friends Bella Mercurio and Doris O’Connell. She had a curious mind and an interest in world cultures and people. She showed us how to appreciate difference and embrace our common humanity. She was the best of what America has to offer! We are all lucky to have known and loved her and to have been loved by her.
She is survived by her daughter, Francine Connolly, Francine’s husband, Oscar de Long, and her grandchildren, Andrea Place and her wife, Remke Remmellts, Michelle Place-Gleason, Heather Place, Bethany Place, Megan de Long, Kira de Long and her wife, Danna Bodenheimer, Andrew Connolly, Peter Spinney and his wife, Elizabeth, Sean Byrne and 16 great-grandchildren: Hannah, Isaac and Abigail Snoeren-Place; Liam, Aidan, Maeve and Tess Gleason; Cy Place-Perrotti; Quinn and Jasper Connolly; Nate and Levi Bodenheimer, Michaela, Alicia and Shannon Byrne and Payton Spinney all adored her. She was the family matriarch for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephew and their children, as well as many cousins and all who shared in her love and support. Her parents and husband Walter, her son Robert Connolly, her granddaughter Tarin Connolly Byrne, her great-granddaughter Anna Byrne and her siblings Henry P. Senna, Harriet Senna and Ruby V. Senna all predeceased her.
Her funeral will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. from the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95) with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. in St. Peter Church, 350 Fair Street, Warwick. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich. Relatives and friends are invited. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to McAuley House, 622 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907 would be appreciated. Please do an act of kindness in her memory. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org
