Lasting Memories
Shirley Grace Connolly
July 23, 1936-April 18, 2018
Menlo Park, California
Shirley Grace Connolly, 81, of Menlo Park, CA went to the arms of the Lord on April 18, 2018.
Shirley was born to Bernard and Grace Connolly on July 23, 1936 in Butte, Montana. Her family relocated to the San Francisco Bay area as a child and she has called this area her home ever since.
Shirley entered the Society of the Sacred Heart on September 15, 1958, at Kenwood, Albany, NY. The following year she and three other novices left Albany to found a second novitiate in El Cajon, CA. It was here where she took her First Vows in 1961. Her Profession of Final Vows was taken in Rome July 20, 1966. Her ministry included working with children as an elementary teacher at St. Joseph, Menlo Park and as a high school principal at Sacred Heart, Menlo Park.
Shirley left the society on August 25, 1976. This led to the beginning of her professional career where she became the Executive Director of the Catholic Television Network located at St. Patrick’s Seminary. Upon retiring from CTN in December 2001, she volunteered her time to many causes in her community. She took great pride in helping others. Shirley especially treasured her time at Oakwood Retirement Center and Sacred Heart Schools.
Shirley was surrounded by loving and caring neighbors who always watched over and cared for her. Her family gives many thanks to all of her neighbors on Pine Street. Shirley truly loved all of you and appreciated your support.
Shirley is survived by her nieces Katie Andriolo (Kevin and Greg), Susan Archer (Rick), Elizabeth Bickle, nephew Bill Bickle (Lauren and William), Brother-in-Law William Bickle. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Sheila Bickle.
Shirley will be forever in our hearts and dearly missed by all.
Arrangements are in the care of Neptune-Society: 1645 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 592-3416 www.neptune-society/location/belmont-ca.
April 25, 2018
It was my joy to work with Shirley and, as a young educator, to learn from her real gifts in this area. I also have a humorous memory that still makes me smile. Shirley told me this story herself while laughing over it. We are working at Sacred Heart Atherton (when it was still "CSH Menlo" and still a boarding school.) And Shirley was the Principal of the High School. We had a quick succession of middle-of-the night fire alarms. The first turned out to have been pulled. The second was caused by the pipes flooding which short circuited the fire alarm. And the last one was caused by an actual fire. So that meant three middle of the night awakenings, knowing we had to assist all of our students in getting out of the building. The last one found Shirley so dead asleep that she told us as she stood up in her room trying to waken and move: "I found myself standing there thinking. I need my robe, and my glasses, and my keys. But if I put on glasses and grab my keys, I can't put on my robe. . . ." Finally she said she was able to figure all out. That was the only time Shirley was one of the last to leave the building rather than the first to jump up and mobilize!