Joan Connelly

Joan Connelly, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Oconee Memorial Hospital. Born in Niskayuna, New York, on February 08, 1943, she was the loving and devoted wife of 58 years to Joseph Connelly III and daughter to the late John and Irene Wooton.

From a young age, Joan aspired to be a nurse and upon completing her education at St. Joseph’s Hospital, School of Nursing, Syracuse, NY, she realized that dream by working as a registered nurse for 40 years in obstetrics, family practice, and oncology. Upon retiring from healthcare and moving to Keowee Key, South Carolina, she became a realtor for a short time, but retained her passion and fascination for the field of medicine until the end.

Joan had a variety of interests and led an active lifestyle all throughout her life. As an avid tennis player and longtime team captain, she was known for her killer backhand and helped her Keowee Key team win a regional championship. Over the last two years she had taken up exercise classes and cherished the support she found in that community. As a lifelong learner and lover of reading she was also an integral volunteer leader at the Keowee Key Library and enjoyed word games and Scrabble.  

In addition to her husband, Joan is survived by her two children; Joseph Connelly IV of Burlington, Vermont, and Erin Beynon (Tim) of Suwanee, Georgia, grandchildren; Shane and Nathan Beynon, and many loving friends and family.

A mass celebrating her life will take place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Seneca at a future date, and she will be interred at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to Tunnel to Towers or Oconee Memorial Hospital Foundation, designated to the Cancer Institute Fund.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Seneca Chapel is assisting the family of Ms. Connelly.