Obituary of Phyllis Connelly

Phyllis L. Connelly, age 74, of Solon died suddenly at her home, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 11am Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon, followed by burial at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Solon. Visitation will be held at the church that same morning, beginning at 9am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to United Action for Youth. To share a thought memory or condolence with her family, please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Phyllis Lucille Winsell was born June 3, 1946, in Selma, Iowa, the fourth daughter of Paul and Minnie (Goehring) Winsell’s six children. Following graduation from Van Buren High School in Keosauqua, Iowa, she moved to Iowa City. There she met her future husband, John Connelly, at a bowling alley and in later years she showed her sassy sense of humor by describing their meeting this way: “I was working, he was playing, and it’s been that way ever since.” Phyllis and John began their 50+ year marriage on September 23, 1967, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. A few years later they moved to Solon where they raised their two daughters, Rebecca “Becky” and Megan. Phyllis had a long career at the Veterans Administration Hospital, working as an executive assistant in the research department until she was able to take early retirement after 25 years of service. She later started a second career at Conley Chiropractic in Iowa City, working at the front desk for many years before retiring. She was also active in her community and church, including serving a term on the Solon school board and helping to teach religious education classes. Phyllis was a social soul and loved connecting with people, whether it was at work, church, or simply chatting over coffee at the Legion. She always took the time to learn about people as individuals and even if she hadn’t seen someone for years, she would remember not only their face and name, but details about their life and family. Phyllis and John enjoyed taking family vacations (especially to South Dakota) and camping with friends and family. After her grandchild was born, Phyllis was a doting and dedicated grandma. Her family includes her daughter and son-in-law, Becky Connelly and Roberto Aguirre; grandchild, Athena “Stephen” Aguirre-Connelly; siblings and their spouses, Midge and Jim Arnold, Lila and Kenneth Wells, Bill and Deb Winsell; sisters-in-law and their spouses Helen and Jim Crosheck, Carol and Mike Klug; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; godchildren Mike Crosheck, Randy Hewitt, and Megan Tucker. Special family friends include Sharon Crosheck and Jake Young and their children, Zoe, Kayla, and Owen; Pat Ikan and her son John; John and Karen Tucker and their family. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Megan; sisters Wilma Davis and Doris Winsell; nephew Randy Wells; and too many special friends.