Obituary from The Free Lance-Star June 11, 2023:
Norma Berry Connelly, 82, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born to the late Luther and Elsie Berry of King George.
After high school, Norma attended Longwood College and completed a two-year business course. She began her career with the Federal Government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as Secretary and Confidential Assistant to seven Chiefs of Information over a period of 22 years. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma was a member of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and had been an active member of the Wesleyan Circle. She served as a volunteer at Mary Washington Hospital. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Fairview Beach and boating on the Potomac River. For many years, she delighted in the companionship of her beagle, "Gunner."
In 2004, Norma suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm which severely compromised her remaining years. Despite that, her will to live kept her going for 19 more years.
She is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from President of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs:
Secretary to the Chief of Information; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of Ms. Norma Connelly
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with deep sorrow to report the death of Ms. Norma Connelly. Norma passed away this past Thursday in Fredericksburg, VA.
Norma began her career with the federal government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as "secretary and confidential assistant" to seven Chiefs of Information. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma will be remembered in countless ways. She will always be remembered for her being the secretary to the Chief of Information—back in the days when you could refer to someone as a "secretary." But in addition to being the consummate professional, Norma was gracious, warm, kind, compassionate, respectful and loyal. She treated everyone the same—whether you were a flag officer or a junior enlisted person. Personally, I consider it a blessing to have worked with Norma in the front office on two occasions—once as the EA and then again as CHINFO.
I think it's fair to say that all of us who worked with Norma learned from her—not just how important kindness and humility are—but the importance of telling us what we needed to hear, not what we necessarily wanted to hear. And all of us know how important that is. In essence, she was a mentor to so many of those she worked with.
I think all of us "old timers" will remember Norma for her wooden box of 5x7 cards that served then as our public affairs directory. Like everything else she did, Norma was meticulous in keeping that box up to date with everyone's contact information. If you needed to reach someone, you were guaranteed to get the correct and latest phone number and/or address.
Norma was so respected for her professionalism and character that a CHINFO award was established in her name—The Norma B. Connelly Public Affairs Service Award. The award was established in 2008. Recipients who are selected embody all that Norma represented—a fervent supporter of the Navy's public affairs community and an individual who demonstrates the personal qualities of service, selfless devotion and dedication to the people and mission of the community.
Norma is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marine CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 1100 on Tuesday, 13 June 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1300 in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
May Norma rest in peace.
https://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/tributes/Norma-Connelly
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Norma Berry Connelly, 82, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born to the late Luther and Elsie Berry of King George.
After high school, Norma attended Longwood College and completed a two-year business course. She began her career with the Federal Government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as Secretary and Confidential Assistant to seven Chiefs of Information over a period of 22 years. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma was a member of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and had been an active member of the Wesleyan Circle. She served as a volunteer at Mary Washington Hospital. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Fairview Beach and boating on the Potomac River. For many years, she delighted in the companionship of her beagle, "Gunner."
In 2004, Norma suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm which severely compromised her remaining years. Despite that, her will to live kept her going for 19 more years.
She is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from President of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs:
Secretary to the Chief of Information; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of Ms. Norma Connelly
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with deep sorrow to report the death of Ms. Norma Connelly. Norma passed away this past Thursday in Fredericksburg, VA.
Norma began her career with the federal government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as "secretary and confidential assistant" to seven Chiefs of Information. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma will be remembered in countless ways. She will always be remembered for her being the secretary to the Chief of Information—back in the days when you could refer to someone as a "secretary." But in addition to being the consummate professional, Norma was gracious, warm, kind, compassionate, respectful and loyal. She treated everyone the same—whether you were a flag officer or a junior enlisted person. Personally, I consider it a blessing to have worked with Norma in the front office on two occasions—once as the EA and then again as CHINFO.
I think it's fair to say that all of us who worked with Norma learned from her—not just how important kindness and humility are—but the importance of telling us what we needed to hear, not what we necessarily wanted to hear. And all of us know how important that is. In essence, she was a mentor to so many of those she worked with.
I think all of us "old timers" will remember Norma for her wooden box of 5x7 cards that served then as our public affairs directory. Like everything else she did, Norma was meticulous in keeping that box up to date with everyone's contact information. If you needed to reach someone, you were guaranteed to get the correct and latest phone number and/or address.
Norma was so respected for her professionalism and character that a CHINFO award was established in her name—The Norma B. Connelly Public Affairs Service Award. The award was established in 2008. Recipients who are selected embody all that Norma represented—a fervent supporter of the Navy's public affairs community and an individual who demonstrates the personal qualities of service, selfless devotion and dedication to the people and mission of the community.
Norma is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marine CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 1100 on Tuesday, 13 June 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1300 in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
May Norma rest in peace.
https://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/tributes/Norma-Connelly
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Obituary from The Free Lance-Star June 11, 2023:
Norma Berry Connelly, 82, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born to the late Luther and Elsie Berry of King George.
After high school, Norma attended Longwood College and completed a two-year business course. She began her career with the Federal Government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as Secretary and Confidential Assistant to seven Chiefs of Information over a period of 22 years. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma was a member of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and had been an active member of the Wesleyan Circle. She served as a volunteer at Mary Washington Hospital. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Fairview Beach and boating on the Potomac River. For many years, she delighted in the companionship of her beagle, "Gunner."
In 2004, Norma suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm which severely compromised her remaining years. Despite that, her will to live kept her going for 19 more years.
She is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from President of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs:
Secretary to the Chief of Information; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of Ms. Norma Connelly
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with deep sorrow to report the death of Ms. Norma Connelly. Norma passed away this past Thursday in Fredericksburg, VA.
Norma began her career with the federal government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as "secretary and confidential assistant" to seven Chiefs of Information. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma will be remembered in countless ways. She will always be remembered for her being the secretary to the Chief of Information—back in the days when you could refer to someone as a "secretary." But in addition to being the consummate professional, Norma was gracious, warm, kind, compassionate, respectful and loyal. She treated everyone the same—whether you were a flag officer or a junior enlisted person. Personally, I consider it a blessing to have worked with Norma in the front office on two occasions—once as the EA and then again as CHINFO.
I think it's fair to say that all of us who worked with Norma learned from her—not just how important kindness and humility are—but the importance of telling us what we needed to hear, not what we necessarily wanted to hear. And all of us know how important that is. In essence, she was a mentor to so many of those she worked with.
I think all of us "old timers" will remember Norma for her wooden box of 5x7 cards that served then as our public affairs directory. Like everything else she did, Norma was meticulous in keeping that box up to date with everyone's contact information. If you needed to reach someone, you were guaranteed to get the correct and latest phone number and/or address.
Norma was so respected for her professionalism and character that a CHINFO award was established in her name—The Norma B. Connelly Public Affairs Service Award. The award was established in 2008. Recipients who are selected embody all that Norma represented—a fervent supporter of the Navy's public affairs community and an individual who demonstrates the personal qualities of service, selfless devotion and dedication to the people and mission of the community.
Norma is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marine CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 1100 on Tuesday, 13 June 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1300 in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
May Norma rest in peace.
https://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/tributes/Norma-Connelly
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Norma Berry Connelly, 82, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born to the late Luther and Elsie Berry of King George.
After high school, Norma attended Longwood College and completed a two-year business course. She began her career with the Federal Government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as Secretary and Confidential Assistant to seven Chiefs of Information over a period of 22 years. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma was a member of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and had been an active member of the Wesleyan Circle. She served as a volunteer at Mary Washington Hospital. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Fairview Beach and boating on the Potomac River. For many years, she delighted in the companionship of her beagle, "Gunner."
In 2004, Norma suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm which severely compromised her remaining years. Despite that, her will to live kept her going for 19 more years.
She is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from President of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs:
Secretary to the Chief of Information; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of Ms. Norma Connelly
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with deep sorrow to report the death of Ms. Norma Connelly. Norma passed away this past Thursday in Fredericksburg, VA.
Norma began her career with the federal government in 1970. In 2000, she retired from the Department of the Navy, having served as "secretary and confidential assistant" to seven Chiefs of Information. Upon retirement, she was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Norma will be remembered in countless ways. She will always be remembered for her being the secretary to the Chief of Information—back in the days when you could refer to someone as a "secretary." But in addition to being the consummate professional, Norma was gracious, warm, kind, compassionate, respectful and loyal. She treated everyone the same—whether you were a flag officer or a junior enlisted person. Personally, I consider it a blessing to have worked with Norma in the front office on two occasions—once as the EA and then again as CHINFO.
I think it's fair to say that all of us who worked with Norma learned from her—not just how important kindness and humility are—but the importance of telling us what we needed to hear, not what we necessarily wanted to hear. And all of us know how important that is. In essence, she was a mentor to so many of those she worked with.
I think all of us "old timers" will remember Norma for her wooden box of 5x7 cards that served then as our public affairs directory. Like everything else she did, Norma was meticulous in keeping that box up to date with everyone's contact information. If you needed to reach someone, you were guaranteed to get the correct and latest phone number and/or address.
Norma was so respected for her professionalism and character that a CHINFO award was established in her name—The Norma B. Connelly Public Affairs Service Award. The award was established in 2008. Recipients who are selected embody all that Norma represented—a fervent supporter of the Navy's public affairs community and an individual who demonstrates the personal qualities of service, selfless devotion and dedication to the people and mission of the community.
Norma is survived by her sister, Jettie Cover and brother-in-law Herbert Cover; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Hayden, Benjamin Cover, James Huesmann, and Gail Huesmann.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marine CWO3 Richard Connelly; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Loury Huesmann.
A funeral service will be held at 1100 on Tuesday, 13 June 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 1300 in Quantico National Cemetery beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
May Norma rest in peace.
https://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/tributes/Norma-Connelly
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
