Doreen M. (O'Connor) Connolly

Wynantskill - Doreen M. (O’Connor) Connolly, 83, beloved widow of Thomas S Connolly, died on Friday, January 3, 2020 at home. A longtime resident of Wynantskill, she was born in Troy and was the daughter of the late Fred V and Helen Guidon O’Connor. She was educated at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Catholic Central High School, Class of 1952, both in Troy. She 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,becoming a Registered Nurse. She worked at the VA Hospital in Albany and the Leonard Hospital in Troy. During this time, September 14, 1957 she married her beloved husband Tom. She also began her governmental career working as a nurse for the NYS Training School for Girls in Wynantskill. Doreen then attended HVCC and graduated with the first class from the Mortuary Science program in 1972. She became a Licensed Funeral Director after completing her apprenticeship in 1973. 

   Following this, she continued her governmental career as Town Clerk of the Town of North Greenbush, a Rensselaer County Legislator and Rensselaer County Clerk. She was elected as the Rensselaer County Clerk in 1993 and is the only woman who has ever held that position. Earlier that year, in January, she was appointed County Clerk by then Governor Mario M. Cuomo. During her tenure as Clerk, for a short time Mrs. Connolly became the Chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee. She retired from the Clerk’s Office on December 31, 1997 having chosen not to run for a second term. Her favorite thing in retirement was spending time with her grandsons. In the last several years, after her husband died, had not been easy for Doreen but with the help of her main care givers, Lisa and Nancy, that eased the burden. That time ended last Friday Night when she went to be with her cherished husband, parents, her beloved sister, Pat O’Connor and many other relatives in heaven. She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Jeff Brien) Connolly of North Greenbush and Thomas S (Sharon) Connolly Jr of Wynantskill and her grandsons, Thomas A Connolly of Wynantskill and Ryan Michael Stouffer of North Greenbush. as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral from the Wynantskill Funeral Home (formerly the Thomas S Connolly Funeral Home), 294 Whiteview Rd., Wynantskill on Wednesday at 8:45 A.M. and at 9:30 A.M.from St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by her longtime friend, Fr. Jim Mackey and Fr. Zachariah Chichester, Associate Pastor. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Wynantskill Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3 to 6 PM. Donations to the St. Jude the Apostle Church Memorial Fund, 43 Brookside Ave., Wynantskill, NY 12198 in memory of Mrs Connolly would be appreciated. 

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