Patricia "Patty" R. Connelly

Patricia “Patty” R. Connelly, 87, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, at Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash.

Born in Cincinnati on November 5, 1938, Patty was the daughter of the late Frank Stephen Riordan and Jane (Ascherenka) Nelson. Deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, Patty lived a life centered on family, education, service, and compassion.

Patty earned two Master's Degrees in Math and French, and had a lifelong appetite for learning, as a student and as a teacher. She dedicated her professional career to education, serving as a teacher mostly at Indian Hill High School and professor at Northern Kentucky University across 55 years, inspiring countless students through her knowledge, encouragement, and commitment to learning. She also worked at other schools before and after this time, and privately supported students as well, up until the last few months of her life. She believed deeply in the transformative power of education and approached both her profession and personal life with intelligence, grace, and generosity.

Patty married John Michael “Sean” Connelly on August 24, 1963, at St. Peter and Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. They shared 54 years of marriage before his passing on August 30, 2017. Together they built a loving home and raised a close-knit family grounded in faith, kindness, and strong values.

Patty will be remembered for her many friends, her deep religious faith being a member of the Dominican Third Order Laity, and her love of travel. She was also involved in supporting numerous charities and loved French conversation groups.

She is survived by her children, Tom (Mary Beth) Connelly of Crestview Hills, Kentucky; Michael (Debbie) Connelly of Springfield Township; Erin Connelly of Derby, England; and Patrick Connelly of Madeira. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to her seven grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Patty was preceded in death by both her parents; her husband, Sean; and her sister, Betsy Coletta nee Riordan.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Gilligan Funeral Home, 8225 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Gertrude Church, Madeira. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A reception will be held at St Gertrude's Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

- American Cancer Society 

- Dementia Society of America 

- The Dominican Friars Foundation