Obituary of Elsie Linnea Connelly

Elsie Linnea Connelly, age 82 of 60 Pearl Ave Jamestown, passed away Sunday (August 29, 2010) in her home. A Pearl Ave. resident her entire life, she was born October 31, 1927 in Jamestown to Swedish immigrants, August (Gust) and Bertha Petterson Anderson. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church where she was confirmed May 10, 1942. She was a 1946 graduate of Jamestown High School. Her first job was with the Jamestown Worsted Mills on Harrison St. During WWII, she worked at Sylvania. She worked in cash and payroll at Watson Mfg. Co. and has been a member of the Watson Girls Reunion for over 60 years. Later, she decorated furniture at Burns Case Goods and Union National. She retired in 1994 from the cleaning department of SKF-MRC. She liked writing letters and sending greeting cards. She also enjoyed baking and decorating cookies and cakes. She was once known as "the cookie lady" at Bush School where she was an assistant Girl Scout leader and received a PTA Life Membership in 1965. When birdhouses became the "craze", Elsie decorated many to give to family and friends. She collected cookie jars and the heart was her favorite design. Halloween was always fun and Elsie kidded about being the "original witch", having been born on that day. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Gordon M. "Red" Connelly. She wore her wedding gown on every anniversary and she will be laid to rest in that gown. She is survived by a daughter, Valerie LaMar of Jamestown; four grandchildren, Kevin LaMar of Jamestown; Patrick LaMar (Cheyenne Webb) of Lakewood; Marshanne Linnea Friend (Brian) of Erie, PA; Alexis Macri of Jamestown; six great grandchildren, Destiny Linnea and Samantha Leila LaMar both of Lakewood; Sophia Lorraine Connelly; Hopelyn Marie Smith; Colton Ryan Macri all of Jamestown; and Jessica Friend of Erie. Elsie is also survived by a sister, Vivian B. Hasson of Jamestown; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday September 4, 2010 in the Lind Funeral Home. A private family burial service will be held in Lake View Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St, Jamestown, NY 14701; or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.