Carmeline E. Connolly

Carmeline Elizabeth O’Sullivan Connolly, 84, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of William Connolly for 62 years. Carmeline was born in Norwalk, CT on October 10, 1937, a daughter of the late William and Arlene (Pouliot) O’Sullivan. She was a graduate of the Norwalk High School class of 1955. Carmeline, together with her husband Bill, raised their family in Bethel CT moving there in 1961. They resided in Bethel until July 2021 at which time they relocated to Punta Gorda, Florida. Many good times were also had at their second home on Cape Cod.

Prior to her retirement, Carmeline was a secretary in the engineering department of Eaton Consolidated Controls for more than 25 years. After retirement, she loved reading to the elementary school students at Rockwell School in Bethel. She enjoyed celebrating all her grandchildren’s school events and achievements, attending ice skating shows, and listening to Irish music. She was happiest walking on the beach collecting shells and sand dollars in Cape Cod and in sunny Florida.

Carmeline was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Church in Bethel, CT for 60 years. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed hosting Sunday family dinners and holidays. Anyone who entered her home was greeted warmly and treated like family. She enjoyed life to the fullest and took nothing for granted. Carmeline was a kind woman and always put others before herself, right up until her last days when her main concern was how her passing would affect her husband.

In addition to her husband William, she is survived by her son William and his wife Anastasia; her daughter Melissa Nathanson and her husband Mike; her son John; her daughter Sue Richter and her husband Bill; and her daughter Megan Smith and her husband Paul. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alex Connolly, Christopher Nathanson, Katherine von Reyn and her husband Brett, Haley Nathanson, Sarah Carter and her husband Justin, Tyler Nathanson, Shane Connolly, Thomas Richter, Jaclyn Smith, Kasey Smith, Sophia Richter and her fiancé Bobby, Angelica Connolly, and Devin Richter. She also leaves behind her sister Mary Ellen Vollemans and her husband Peter along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She leaves behind many lifelong friends in Connecticut as well as the new friends she made in her short time at Blue Heron Pines. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her granddaughter Chloe Connolly; and her sister Patricia DiGiacomo and her husband Tony.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 3:00 pm with a memorial service to begin at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11 at the Johnson and Taylor Funeral Home in Punta Gorda, Florida. There will be a memorial service held in CT at a later date. Donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.