Shirley A. Connelly
1935-2015
Shirley Ann Connelly, 80, of Edmond, Oklahoma, was the daughter of Emil and Lillian(Storm) Amatucci. She was born on August 24, 1935 in Tulsa and passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 in Edmond.
Shirley graduated from Holy Family High School in 1953, received a bachelor’s in nursing from St. Louis University in 1957 and her master’s in nursing from the University of Oklahoma in 1975. After graduation Shirley worked as a registered nurse and later as a professor of nursing at the University of Central Oklahoma from 1972-1995. Shirley loved nursing and continued to volunteer both as a parish nurse at St. Johns Catholic Church in Edmond and Mercy Hospice in Oklahoma City. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing from 1975 till her death. Shirley loved spending time with family and friends and especially her grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her Son Greg Connelly and his wife Kelly of Stillwater, OK ; sisters Jeanette Taylor, of Edmond OK: and Ramona Amatucci, of Tulsa, OK; 3 Grandchildren Duncan, Zac, and Colby; and Daughter in law Terri Connelly of Edmond, OK and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack Connelly; son Brian Connelly; and brother Richard Amatucci. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edmond, OK with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery
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I offer my condolences to Shirley’s family.
I was a student of hers when she taught at St. John Hospital School of Nursing in Tulsa Oklahoma. I was there from 1962 to ’65. In later years we saw each other a few times at various professional meetings and she honored me by remembering me immediately.
Shirley had a profound influence on me, not only because she was a great teacher but also because she was a tremendous role model. She was the nurse I wanted to become. I hope my career reflected her positive presence in my formative nursing years.
I am sad to hear of her passing but I know that her legacy lives on in the many nurses she helped prepare for the profession.