Kirby Connolly
October 28, 1948 ~ December 2, 2011
Resided in:
Weaverville, NC
Janice Kirby Burton Connolly, 63, passed away peacefully at home with her family on December 2, 2011.
She was born October 28, 1948, the oldest daughter of the late Ruth and Sam Burton of Candler, NC. Kirby graduated from Enka High School in 1966, and then Appalachian State University in 1970, where she met her loving and devoted husband of 43 years, Joseph Allen Connolly.
She was a lifelong teacher, starting at Watts Elementary in Durham, NC, and then teaching at Emma Elementary and Asbury Methodist in Asheville, NC before retiring from Asheville Catholic in 2007. She was a member of Haywood Street Methodist Church and most recently, Central United Methodist Church in Asheville.
Kirby loved the Lord and her church, where for many years she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.
She will be remembered for her graceful spirit and cheerful disposition, her understated wit and her love of family.
Throughout her life she influenced many people with her care, concern, and wisdom, as well as by the example she set by the life she lived.
She is survived by her husband Joe of Weaverville, her son Jeff (Lauren) of Durham, and their son Sam, and her son Ryan (Katie), also of Durham, and their daughter Mary Claire. She is also survived by her sister, Kim Roberts of Candler, and her nephew Brandon and niece Brooke.
A service of celebration will be held at Central United Methodist Church at 2:00p.m. Tuesday, December 6. The Rev. Dr. Rob Blackburn and the Rev. Julie Peeler will officiate.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the hospice workers, the medical staff, her caregivers and the many friends who provided compassionate care, companionship, and visits over the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28802.
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Dear Joe, Jeff, Ryan,
Kirby will ALWAYS be remembered for her gentle spirit, her love of everyone. She truly was the kindest, greatest lady I’ve ever known. She loved all of you with the deepest love. There is much celebration in heaven – no more pain for our Kirby!
In Christ’s Grace and Love,
Deb
We are so sorry to hear of Kirby’s passing. Please know we hold your family in our thoughts and prayers.
We hope the good memories of the past help to sustain you through this difficult period. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I remember Kirby from high school at Enka, sorry to hear of her passing. RIP Kirby.
Kirby was the most gracious, caring individual one could ever meet. For all the blows dealt this frail woman, she always demonstrated concern for others first. She will be missed by all. My love and prayers go out to her family.
My most profound sympathy to you and you family, sincerly ‘Willie’ Greene
Joe and Family; Our PRAYERS and thoughts R with U guys during this time of SORROW and GRIEFS. May GOD B with U in a SPECIAL way during this TIME..
We share in the loss of our precious friend, Kirby. The love and support is sent to Joe, Jeff, Lauren, Ryan, and Katie during this time of grief. You all have a special place in our lives, and we’re so blessed to have experienced so much together. Love you always, Wilson and Jane
Connolly Family,
I only knew your Kirby as a friend of my folks. But, when ever I did see her she always made me feel like her friend as well. I now view that as a lesson I learned from your Kirby. So sorry for the loss of this amazing woman,friend,wife and mother…
Joe, Ryan, and Jeff
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Seely
Dear Joe and family, I know you have loss the most precious person. I will always remember the kind, sweet friend Kirby was to me. She truely was a gift from God. Her sweet spirit will live on. She touched so many lives, we have been blessed by this special angel. I will miss my dear friend, but my life has been touched in so many ways by her love. My heart goes out to all of her family. Dear Kirby, you are my sister…love Joyce Luther-Ball, and husband Sam Ball
Joe,
We are so sorry to hear about Kirby. It seems like no time since I first met her in our dorm at ASU. She was always so pleasant, friendly, and always smiling. How gracious and courageous she has been. Jim and I will have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Joyce & Jim Greene
Our deepest sympathy to the Connolly family. Best decision Joe ever made was to marry Kirby, she was a wonderful lady. Despite all of the things Kirby went through over the last several years she always seemed to have a smile on her face. Now, she has no more pain and is walking with the angels.
I remember Kirby with great fondness from our years at ASU. We would occasionally run into each other at the mall or somewhere around town, and it was always as if we had just seen each other the day before. I remember one time when we were in our late 20s that she was so excited to tell me someone had asked to see her ID, thinking she was under 18. She was a very special, spirited person. My heart goes out to you and your family, Joe.
Dear Joe and Jeff and Lauren and family,
Our deepest sympathy at Kirby’s death. People may say after her years of terrible suffering that her death was a blessing. May we amend that thought and say that her death may have been a merciful act, it was her life that was the blessing to all of you and all of her frinds. How fortunate that she was able to see and know and love Sammy this past year, too.
With love,
G. Guy & Susanne
Joe we are so happy to have had the blessing of meeting the Connollys. Kirby was so kind to Mary and me and Mary especially loved spending time with her when we visited. Your constant care and kindness to Kirby over these last years was truly remarkable. Mary and I will keep you in our prayers and hope that we will see you soon. May God richly bless the Connollys and hold you all close.
Joe,Jeff,Ryan, Kirby was such a special lady .She had such a sweet spirit that we will always remember. Joe,we have many wonderful memories of you and Kirby and our Homecomings at ASU .Bo and I love you and will be praying for you all .
Condolences to you Joe, and your family. As Kirby’s roomate at ASU I always remember a petite girl with a big smile and a sense of humor that was down to earth. Life is so short; be uplifted that she brought light to our lives.
Joe-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
-Patsy Brison & Scott Camp
Joe, Jeff and Ryan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kirby was an amazing lady. Cherish the memories!!
Love you all!
Joe-What an inspiration you have been as you have been there for Kirby… such a role model! Obviously, she was a very special person and at last free from pain…. spreading her wings. May God comfort and strengthen you and your family during this difficult time. Tedd and Gail Smith
Joe, Jeff and Ryan, Kirby was an awsome person. All the spend the nights groing up will be remembered forever, and Kirby taught me how to swim..Love you guys, thoughts an prayers for you and family.
Joe and family,
Kirby was one of the most amazing, inspirational women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every day I was with her she brought so much joy and happiness, and always made me smile. One of my favorite things to do with Kirby was read her inspirational book aloud to her, she received so much joy from the amazing words, as did I. I cherish my memories with her and I am so thankful for the opportunity of getting to know her and her family; because of Kirby I learned to few life in a new fulfilling way. You all will stay in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Joe,Jeff,Ryan & family,
My boys, Jason & Jared, will always remember their ‘Miss Kirby’ from North Asheville Preschool. Joe, you are a wonderful example for all married couples of the true meaning of ‘in sickness & in health until death us do part.’ God’s strength & blessings to all.
Connolly Family,
Love to all of you from the Rookers. Though I never spent much time with her, I always admired Kirby for her courage and her beautiful spirit.
Bless all of you as you pay tribute to such a special lady.
Love,
Lee and Nancy, Ron and Stephen
Kim –
We are saddened by the news of Kirby. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Murphy Family
Ella, James, and Pam
Kim and family ,my thoughts and prayers are sent to you at this sad time,Kirby was a special woman and made an impact on a lot of lives,she always had a smile and was a fighter,you will miss her but there is a new angel in Heaven,and she is free of the pain she has went through
Joe so sorry to hear about Kirby, our pray’s are with you and your family. Brenda Crowder and Tonya, Alicia, Tabitha
Joe, I’m so sorry to hear of Kirby’s passing. My prayers are with you and the children. Kirby will be much missed by many people whose lives she touched.
Mrs.Connolly was my first grade teacher at Emma Elementary (37 years ago!) and every couple of years or so I would run into her and she would still remember my name which I thought was amazing considering how many children she had taught over the years…very special lady…May God bless your family as you go thru this difficult time.
My deepest sympathies to the Family
in your loss….which is now ‘Heavens Gain’!
I loved Kirby from our first encounter and treasured the time
I spent caring for her. I will
always remember good times with
her and what an easy person she
was to love……she lifted my spirits many days!
Joe,
I am so sorry to hear about Kirby. There are so many students that will remember her fondly. She was such a good and kind person who always smile when she saw you. I will always remember our early teaching years together. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless You,
Phyllis Stowe
Joe and Family, Carol and I send our condolences for the loss of Kirby. I’m sure you will all remember and be inspired by her courage and warm smile. Best wishes, Bob and Carol Deutsch
Joe,
Just wanted to express our condolences to you. We especially want to thank you for the time you have given us in the last several weeks, especially with all you have had going on. Although I have only met her a few times, the words I have heard others describe the love between you over the years has been inspirational to us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
The Broadhurst family
Joe I am so sorry to here of Kirbys passing. May God bless and keep you and your family. You are in my prayers. Just remember that you will see her one day. She is celeberating with her Lord, and she is not in any pain anymore. She has a new body.God bless you and your familly. Love Claire Penland
Kirby was such a wonderful person and always had such a sweet smile. I will be praying for the family, I know the next few weeks will be real hard. Just try to remember how happy she is to be home. God bless.
Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your family has been connected with the Byers for generations and the sadness is shared with ours. Kirby was a great lady,her attitude in life was always the most positive and inspiring of anyone I knew. She will be deeply missed by all.
Dear Connolly family,
I was very sad to see Mrs. Connolly’s passing. I worked at the dental office that the children went to for years. She was always so kind and sweet to us. Do not ever remember her with out a smile. I will be thinking and praying for your family at this time.
Kim Dawson
I am very sorry for your lose. I know that Kirby fought a long and hard battle. I will always remember Kirby as being the very active person she was in high school.
Dear Joe and family,
You all have been so much in my thoughts and prayers during this Christmas season.
Through the years I pretty much lost contact with Kirby but have such warm memories of my sister’s best friend and Aunt Azalee and Uncle Surber’s neice and next door neighbor. She was always so chipper
with a positive, upbeat attitude and twinkly eyes that made me smile.
I know you and your sons have been faithful and loving support for her. I pray for you to have peace and blessed comfort only God can give as we celebrate the birth of Jesus who came and died that we may face tomorrow with love and gratitude for her life.
Sincerely, Jane Cole Pruden (Jo Anne’s sister)