Elizabeth Connelly
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth A. "Betty" Connelly (June 19, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York – May 25, 2006 in Staten Island, New York) was a Democratic Party
politician from Staten Island, New York who represented the North Shore
of that community from 1973 to 2000. She was the first woman to win elective office to any district encompassing Staten Island.
Prior to her election in 1973, Mrs. Connelly worked as a secretary for New York Life Insurance Company
, and as a telephone sales associate for Pan American World Airways
.
An advocate for the mentally disabled, Mrs. Connelly was appointed chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in 1977.
. She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Connelly, Sr., a son, Robert J. Connelly, Jr., her daughters Alice Lanzi, Margaret Nicholson, and Therese Shannon, as well seven grand-children.
Staten Island University Hospital
opened the Elizabeth A. Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center in 2009. Mrs. Connelly had been a volunteer at the hospital prior to her election in 1973. A community center, named for her was also opened around the same time. The NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities holds the Elizabeth A. Connelly Memorial Conference on Autism & Related Conditions annually.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Staten Island, New York who represented the North Shore
North Shore, Staten Island
The term North Shore is frequently applied to a series of neighborhoods within New York City's borough of Staten Island, USA.- Boundaries :...
of that community from 1973 to 2000. She was the first woman to win elective office to any district encompassing Staten Island.
Life and career
Mrs. Connelly was born Elizabeth Ann Keresey, and was raised in Brooklyn and the Bronx. She and her husband Robert J. Connelly, Sr. moved to Staten Island in 1954 and raised a family.Prior to her election in 1973, Mrs. Connelly worked as a secretary for New York Life Insurance Company
New York Life Insurance Company
The New York Life Insurance Company is one of the largest mutual life-insurance companies in the United States, and one of the largest life insurers in the world, with about $287 billion in total assets under management, and more than $15 billion in surplus and AVR...
, and as a telephone sales associate for Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
.
An advocate for the mentally disabled, Mrs. Connelly was appointed chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in 1977.
Death and Legacy
Mrs. Connelly died on May 25, 2006, at the age of 77 at her home in Westerleigh, Staten IslandWesterleigh, Staten Island
-Geography:Westerleigh is located in the northwest quadrant of the borough and is bounded in the east by Manor Road, the west by Crystal Avenue, the south by Victory Boulevard and to the north by College Avenue....
. She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Connelly, Sr., a son, Robert J. Connelly, Jr., her daughters Alice Lanzi, Margaret Nicholson, and Therese Shannon, as well seven grand-children.
Staten Island University Hospital
Staten Island University Hospital
Staten Island University Hospital is a major tertiary referral center on Staten Island, in New York City.SIUH is a two-campus, 785-bed teaching hospital consisting of a North Campus, a South Campus, and the now closed Concord Campus....
opened the Elizabeth A. Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center in 2009. Mrs. Connelly had been a volunteer at the hospital prior to her election in 1973. A community center, named for her was also opened around the same time. The NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities holds the Elizabeth A. Connelly Memorial Conference on Autism & Related Conditions annually.