Elizabeth L. “Betty” Connolly of Alpena died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, at Tendercare, Alpena, after several months of declining health. She was 87.

Born March 11, 1920, in Saginaw, she moved to Alpena as a child with her parents, C.C. “Sam” and Sarah Lappan. She graduated from Alpena High School and attended Marygrove College prior to her marriage in 1941 to Robert E. Connolly. They lived on Bambridge Island, Washington, until his discharge from the Navy at the end of World War II, after which they resided in Grosse Pointe Park for many years before moving to Marine City in 1962. She returned to the Alpena area shortly after his death in 1966.

Mrs. Connolly was employed at the Lappan Agency for nearly 20 years until 1985. That year, she was named Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan,a position she held for ten years until retiring at age 75 in 1995.

A member of St. Bernard‘s Catholic Church, Mrs. Connolly was active in many community organizations, including the Friends of the Library and the Jesse Besser Museum. A lifelong learner herself, she was a founding member of the Adult Lifetime Learners of Alpena Community College. She was a an avid reader and master gardener.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Biscorner, two brothers, A. James and John H. “Jack” Lappan. Her sister, Sally Lappan, survives. Her six children also survive, including four daughters, Patricia (Michael) Yantomasi of Clearwater, FL ; Catherine “Kay” Hug of Alpena; Mary (Jere) Doyle of Washington, MI, and Alpena; and Carolyn Biscorner of Alpena; and two sons, Michael R. (Marcia) Connolly of Alpena; and Edward Joseph “E.J.” (Ann Boucher) Connolly of Lincoln. Grandchildren are Andrea (Noel) Palma, Amy Yantomasi, Joelle Yantomasi, Elizabeth (Doug ) Auken, Edward (Gina) Hug, Enrique “E.J.” Hug, Christina Hug, Robert (Laura) Doyle, and Reed (Jane Frank) Doyle, Marc Biscorner, Carisa Connolly and Christopher Connolly, Sean Connolly, and Carly Connolly.  Great grandchildren include Justin and Sarah Palma, Hannah, Aaron and Abbie Auken, Alex Hug, Charlotte and Jason Doyle, and Kevin and Jordan Biscorner.

As per her wishes, Mrs. Connolly’s body has been cremated. Friends may call at the Bannan Funeral Home Monday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Greg McCallum officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan,  Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, or Alpena George N. Fletcher County Library.