Thelma E. Connolly
Sep 23rd, 2021
Thelma Elaine Connolly (Hardy) of Yarmouth Port passed away peacefully on September 23, 2021.
She was the beloved wife of the late Stephen H. Connolly, Jr. for sixty-nine years. Born, raised and educated in Livermore Falls, Maine, Thelma was the daughter of Lovina Morse Hardy and Ronald A. Hardy. She was a graduate of Livermore Falls High School.
Following high school, Thelma moved to Massachusetts to enter a nursing training program at a Boston hospital. She quickly learned that nursing wasn’t for her, and earned an associate degree in bookkeeping/accounting. She worked at Purdy Photo Studio in Boston, heading up the high school yearbook division, until her marriage in 1951.
When her husband decided to strike out on his own to open Steve Connolly Seafood Company in Boston, with a new division opening in Gloucester a short time later, Thelma was right by his side. She accompanied Steve to seafood shows all over the United States, attended customer dinners, and met President George H. Bush in the Rose Garden at the White House when her husband won the Small Business Administration Award in 1990.
Thelma loved watching the swans at her home on Bass River, and taking relaxing cruises down the river in their boat, “My Way.” She enjoyed exploring new places, traveling the world with her husband always by her side. Reading and whist were two of Thelma’s favorite pastimes, with her silver poodle, Heidi, always close by. She will be most remembered by her grandchildren for the delicious grilled cheese sandwiches Nana made as nighttime fell on the river.
Thelma is survived by her son, Stephen R. Connolly and his wife, Paula, of Sandwich, her daughter, Janice S. C. Petrie and her husband, Mike, of Topsfield; four grandchildren, Alison Bruno of Sandwich, Christopher Connolly of Woodstock, NH, Kristen J. C. Petrie and her partner, Kevin Eaton of New Market, NH, David M. C. Petrie and his wife, Samantha, of Haverhill; and five great grandchildren. Thelma was predeceased by a grandchild, Daniel Connolly, a sister, Marilyn Pease, and three brothers, Clayton Hardy, Blaine Hardy, and Wendall Hardy.
Interment will be private and a celebration of Thelma’s life will follow at a later date.