Kathleen Annette Connelly

Kathleen A. Connelly, 71, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away peacefully at Doey's House, surrounded by her friends and family. Born on April 10, 1953, in Caledonia, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John Henry Gafney and Dorothy Reba Boyd.

Her father passed away unexpectedly the day after her birth, and she was raised by her mother until the age of 10, when her mother also passed away. Kathleen and her sister then entered the care of Leland and Jaclyn Huff, who lovingly raised them.

A talented majorette for three years at River Valley High School, Kathleen was affectionately nicknamed “Twig” after the model Twiggy. Upon graduating, she began her career as a clerk for the railroad company, where she worked for 30 years before retiring.

In 1988, she married Gary Miller, and their daughter, Jessica, was born on February 6, 1989. The couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1994. Kathleen later married Joseph Connelly on April 10, 2000; they separated in 2014 and divorced in June 2023. After moving to Clarksburg in 2016 to be closer to her daughter, she moved in with Jessica in 2021.

Kathleen touched the lives of everyone she met. She was known for her kindness, her delicious poppyseed cake, anise pizzelles, and for sneaking potato chips to her beloved grand-dog, Opal. She cherished time spent at her friends’ lake house on Lake Erie and enjoyed crocheting—a skill she learned from her foster mother and passed down to Jessica.

A devoted fan of The Golden Girls, Kathleen could be best summed up by the phrase, “Thank you for bein’ a friend.” She was truly the best friend anyone could ask for.

In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her foster parents, sister, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Jessica Miller (Garrett Kehler); stepdaughters Jaclyn Soliman (nee Connelly) and Morgan Miller (Eric Cremeans); grandchildren Mackensie Bell, Gabriel Connelly, Brianna Wheatley, and Tristen Chang; grand-dog Opal Kehler; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

in lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to the National MS Society, PO Box # 91891Washington, D.C. 20090-1891 or by phone 1-800-344-4867.