Joan McDowell Connolly

Joan McDowell Connolly died at the age of 87 on September 15, 2024, at her home in Wilmington. She had lived in the same house for nearly 60 years, where she raised her family with her husband, Arthur G. Connolly Jr. It was her strong wish to remain in the house for the rest of her life. She died there peacefully.

Joan was the daughter of the late Harris B. McDowell Jr. and the late Florence N. McDowell. She was born in Wilmington in 1937. Her father served five terms as Delaware’s Representative to the U.S. Congress during the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations. She was the middle of three children, growing up between her older sister Kendall McDowell Wilson (1932 – 2006) and her brother Harris B. McDowell III of Wilmington. Joan enjoyed a wonderful family life in a picturesque 18^th century farmhouse on the Levels near Middletown and St. Andrew’s School. She wrote that her favorite chore was picking raspberries from her father’s garden for the breakfast table. Joan’s love of gardens lasted a lifetime, and she was happy to transplant flowers, shrubs, and a holly tree from her childhood home to her Wilmington home.

Joan was an excellent student who went to the local schools in Middletown before transferring to Tower Hill School in high school. In addition to her studies, she was a cheerleader, field hockey and softball player, and a lead in the production of “Charley’s Aunt” and other plays. Joan graduated in 1955. Shortly after graduation, she had her first conversation with Art Connolly – it was brief. Art’s parents told him if he was not going to attend a party thrown by friends for their daughter, he would have to call them directly. Art dutifully made the call and was pleasantly surprised to hear Joan answer the phone, she was helping her girlfriend prepare for the party.

A 59-year love story emerged from that phone call. Joan and Art dated the summer before they both headed off to college. Joan went to Smith College in Northampton, Mass. and Art was a frequent visitor. Their romance continued and four months after they both graduated in the spring of 1959, they were married on September 12^th. They were a terrific team and loving couple for 55 wedded years, up to the day Art died.

As newlyweds, Joan and Art lived in Arlington, Virginia. Joan taught junior high school social studies in Falls Church, VA, while Art was a student at Georgetown Law School. Joan’s first two children, Arthur G. Connolly III (Chip) and Amy Kendall Connolly Doherty were born in Washington D.C. Her third child, Michael McDowell Connolly was born after the family moved back to Delaware.

Joan was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, friend, and a cherished grandmother known as “Mimi.” From her 20’s through her 80’s, she was most happy when entertaining family and friends. Joan was loving and kind in all her endeavors and was a strong proponent of the Golden Rule. Joan had a passion for volunteer work and gave freely of her time to many organizations. She was, to name a few: an active board member of the Children’s Bureau of Delaware (now known as Children and Families First of Delaware) for over 35 years and served as board president in the 1980’s; a 20 year board member and vice president of The National Adoption Center and the Adoption Center of Philadelphia; an officer and board member of the Junior League of Wilmington; president of the Delaware Women’s Tennis Association; president and board member of the Smith College Club of Delaware; a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Corrections; a member of Governor Carper’s Leadership Council for Women; and a faithful volunteer for any activity at her children’s alma mater – Wilmington Friends School, despite being a “rival” Hiller!

In the years since Art’s death in 2014, she remained active in the community. With two new knees and a new hip, her days of tennis, paddle, running, and swimming gave way to an increasing interest in duplicate bridge, where she enjoyed her friendships with fellow players even more than the game. Joan recently spent a long weekend in Maine with her children, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and her seven grandchildren, just five days before she died. The timing of the trip was very fortunate.

Joan is survived by her son Chip and his wife Katy of Wilmington and their children Elizabeth, Caroline and Gil; her daughter Amy and her husband Michael, of Atlanta, and their daughters Megan and Katherine; and her son Mike and his sons James and Win of Aspen, Colorado. She is also survived by her brother, Harris B. McDowell III and his wife Sunee; many very close in-laws; and beloved nieces, nephews, and their children.

A Memorial Service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 11:00 am. Interment will be private at Lower Brandywine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to contribute in Joan’s memory are encouraged to consider Westminster Presbyterian Church, Children and Families First, or the charity or organization that best represents their relationship with Joan.