Lillian C. Connolly (née Felice), 89, of Tinton Falls, died Nov. 14, 2021. She had the support of her family throughout recent health challenges.
Lillian was born and raised in Jersey City. Her family spent their vacations in Point Pleasant Beach where she met the love of her life, John H. Connolly. They married in 1955 and raised seven children while living in Old Bridge and Point Pleasant Beach. Lillian loved her seven children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home, where she loved to have parties and entertain with her beautiful singing voice, was always open to family and friends.
She loved spending time at Frog Hollow Swim and Tennis Club, having dinner parties with friends, and family gatherings at the beach, where there was always room for one more. She also enjoyed gardening and crafting. To occupy her time during COVID lockdown she designed and created jewelry for anyone who fancied a piece of her creations. She had many jobs in her life but her favorites included working in a jewelry store and being a home health aide.
In their later years John and Lillian were lucky enough to spend their winters in Jupiter, Florida. There they made new friends and wonderful memories.
Lillian was predeceased by her husband John, parents Sam and Anne Felice, and her daughter-in-law Trish Connolly. She is survived by her son John Henry; daughter Melinda and husband William Shea of Point Pleasant; son Robert and wife Janet of Sayreville; son Thomas and wife Cathy of Shrewsbury; daughter Anna Mae and husband Edward O’Connor of South Amboy; son Paul and wife Yami of Leonardo; son Patrick and Susan Plant of Asbury Park; Wendy Halliwell of Point Pleasant; grandchildren Brooke Bingaman and her husband Joseph, Grant Shea, Shane Connolly, Courtney Shea, Daniel O’Connor, Luke O’Connor and his wife Christine, Jacob Connolly, Micah Connolly, Jack O’Connor, Hannah Connolly, Mia Connolly, Brian Howell-del Rio, Danny Lloyd Jr., Elizabeth Lloyd, Thomas Lloyd, Natalie Sigismondi, Nicholas Sigismondi, Madison Schwartz; her great-grandchildren Elliana, Jacob and Dakota Bingaman; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Frank Felice of Venice, Florida, and sister Barbara and her husband Ed Rodi of Yardley, Pennsylvania.
A funeral Mass was held Nov. 19 at St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank. Interment followed at St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt. John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank is in charge of arrangements. Visitation was at the funeral home prior to the Mass.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Heartworks, 19 Morristown Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920 or njheartworks.org.
The article originally appeared in the November 25 – December 1, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
