Jeanne E. Connelly of Doylestown, Pa., passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023 in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. She was 68.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to the late Edward and Margaret (Coward) McAfee, Jeanne resided in Wilmington, Del., before moving to Doylestown, Pa., 33 years ago.
Jeanne’s passions were her family, her horses, her community, reading, and her gardens. She is remembered by all as a welcoming, generous, and kind friend, an avid equestrian, a loving wife, and mother, and one who gave back to her community in many ways. She volunteered with a local women’s charity, Nova. She was a member of the Anchor Presbyterian Church and a Freedom Partner with the International Justice Mission. She was also a member and served on the board of Bucks Beautiful, until she had to step down for health reasons.
Jeanne received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Medical Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. In the early 1980’s she worked on Lake Erie as a Marine Ecologist. She later joined DuPont where she was part of the team that developed one of the first FDA approved blood screening assays for HIV. She later joined Ortho Diagnostics, then a Johnson & Johnson company, as a Senior Product Development Scientist. She was later recruited by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Raritan, New Jersey, and Horsham, Pennsylvania, where she served as Director of Competitive Intelligence. She retired from J&J after 30 years of service.
She was the beloved wife of 33 years to Dr. Mark C. Connelly; devoted mother of Brenna Connelly and fiancé Renan Rampinelli, Lindsay Connelly and husband David VanLandingham, Erin Connelly, Michael Connelly and wife Amelia, and Justin Connelly; dear sister of Pat McAfee and wife Darylee, and the late Margaret Westerbeck and Edward McAfee; loving aunt of Lori Jacobs and husband William, Richard Westerbeck and wife Tammy, and Marcey Westerbeck; cherished great-aunt of Jeffrey Chadwick, Samantha McDowell and husband Jay, Michael Westerbeck, Christopher Westerbeck and wife Rachel, and June Connelly; adored sister-in-law of Cynthia Laux and husband William, John Connelly and wife Etsuko.
A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at the Anchor Presbyterian Church (Wrightstown/Newtown, Pa.) at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to: Special Equestrians, Warrington, Pa.: https://www.specialequestrians.org/donate.
Or NOVA Victims Services, Bucks County, Pa.: https://novabucks.org/donate/.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com.
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