My beautiful sister Ann Colleen who I always looked up to as my hero recently passed away. She was a magical person and I was so fortunate to have her as a big sis. 🌷🌹♥️
We were all so sad to hear of Ann's sudden passing; we were hoping to see her in November. She was a beautiful soul. Our sympathy and condolences to brother Tim, sister-in-law Becky Boyd Connolly, sister Theresa ~ and to all family and friends of our classmate ~ Pat Lydiard Barga for the SHS-SHS '68 Reunion Committee.
"I am not sure if I will attend the upcoming reunion, however I have the fondest memories of both teachers and students. I will be sending you love and light whether I am physically present or not. ~ You are beautiful people. Great people-watching from my perch on the bookstore steps, during lunch, as I hocked yearbooks. ~ Best regards to you all. Keep the Faith Baby!" ~ June 2018
[Ann passed on 8/13/18; her friend Rick Sacks sent her last notes to us; we are unable to present at the Reunion due to time constraints. Am inserting here for ALL to read:]
"I feel privileged to have attended Scottsdale High School. I had fine teachers with a special thanks to Neil Corbin, who taught Biology and Human Physiology and Anatomy, for an excellent education in that area of science. - My fellow students were so industrious and poised as I recall. My position on both the student newspaper and yearbook staff gave me a chance to travel to many classrooms for photos. This experience was so helpful when I later started my own publication. -
I look back on high school with fondness and actually have come to value all my teenage angst. My father said "I still feel like exactly the same person." I know what he means; the core values remain the same. The charming, affluent, rather insulated atmosphere of Scottsdale High School was like a greenhouse force blooming me for college and beyond. - I am grateful for the experience. I wish you all the best of luck past, present, and future." Ann Colleen Connolly
This moving speech is accompanied by a Biography that Ann jotted down: In our Junior year at Scottsdale High School my brother Tim, my father Bill, and I rode motorcycles to Alaska; taking the Inside Passage by ferry. We had a lot of family there and it was great fun to fly back to my Uncle's private lakeside cabin in their Piper Cubs, flying to Kodiak island as well. - After graduation I attended ASU where I earned a BA degree in English literature and continued the love affair I began in high school with " The Bard". I slip away to Ashland Oregon for live Shakespeare as often as I can. - I did some modeling in college. After college I wanted to be part of the 1974 World's Fair in Spokane Washington, so I moved up there. First I worked at a small travel company, leading tours across the USA and Canada by train and bus, waiting for the Fair to begin hiring. - Persistence paid off and I landed a job in public relations for the American Forest Pavilion, which is sort of ironic I suppose since I have spent much time and energy on environmental issues which include protection of Old growth forests and habitat for endangered species.
" Life is either a grand adventure or it is nothing at all" said Helen Keller. I have always used this famous saying as a touchstone. And though you may see it as a case of the blind leading the blind, for better or worse it has shaped my life. - My bucket list so long I could see 2,492 years of places to see, people to see and things to do. And, of course, bucket lists have a way of growing. I don't regret my mistakes too much because I learned so much from them. And besides If I am not making mistakes, I am not really stretching myself. It's like skiing. When you push to the end of your abilities you often fall. But that's how we break through those barriers, and it absolutely forces you to have a sense of humor. - So what have I learned so far. Life is bigger, stranger, and more mysterious than we can ever comprehend. Whenever I decide to do something the universe seems to conspire to help me. I guess this is called "luck." - What does the future hold? My interest in environmental causes remain strong. I enjoy birding and whale watching. The medical marijuana field had caught my attention due to the extraordinary results they are having with cancer. Oregon and Colorado are leaders in the field at this time, and I may become interested in sales as products develop. I am always searching for little pockets if magic in daily life. Shanti
For as my spiritual teacher said, "There are more jewels in each moment than we can possibly appreciate," Swami Shivananda Radha.
In High school I was so shy I was like a cactus with quills of self defense. The nurturing environment allowed me to grow and explore in a very safe and protected place. Beautiful time, place, and people.
The weird thing is that when I look back upon my life it seems to have a trajectory and focus and meaning, however, while I was arriving at crossroads and moving across the country, it seemed rather chaotic.
The paradigm shift that occurs with each generation allowed us to have more importance yet somehow less freedom. But right now the future's so bright I have to wear shades.
Theresa Gay Connolly (Paul)
My beautiful sister Ann Colleen who I always looked up to as my hero recently passed away. She was a magical person and I was so fortunate to have her as a big sis. 🌷🌹♥️Ken Lyman
Sorry to hear of her passing. My condolesces to you and the family.
Kimball Clark (Arnold)
I was saddened to learn of her death. Ann Colleen was a lovely, sweet and kind young woman.
Pat Lydiard (Barga)
We were all so sad to hear of Ann's sudden passing; we were hoping to see her in November. She was a beautiful soul. Our sympathy and condolences to brother Tim, sister-in-law Becky Boyd Connolly, sister Theresa ~ and to all family and friends of our classmate ~ Pat Lydiard Barga for the SHS-SHS '68 Reunion Committee.
Pat Lydiard (Barga)
"I am not sure if I will attend the upcoming reunion, however I have the fondest memories of both teachers and students. I will be sending you love and light whether I am physically present or not. ~ You are beautiful people. Great people-watching from my perch on the bookstore steps, during lunch, as I hocked yearbooks. ~ Best regards to you all. Keep the Faith Baby!" ~ June 2018
[Ann passed on 8/13/18; her friend Rick Sacks sent her last notes to us; we are unable to present at the Reunion due to time constraints. Am inserting here for ALL to read:]
"I feel privileged to have attended Scottsdale High School. I had fine teachers with a special thanks to Neil Corbin, who taught Biology and Human Physiology and Anatomy, for an excellent education in that area of science. - My fellow students were so industrious and poised as I recall. My position on both the student newspaper and yearbook staff gave me a chance to travel to many classrooms for photos. This experience was so helpful when I later started my own publication. -
I look back on high school with fondness and actually have come to value all my teenage angst. My father said "I still feel like exactly the same person." I know what he means; the core values remain the same. The charming, affluent, rather insulated atmosphere of Scottsdale High School was like a greenhouse force blooming me for college and beyond. - I am grateful for the experience. I wish you all the best of luck past, present, and future." Ann Colleen Connolly
This moving speech is accompanied by a Biography that Ann jotted down: In our Junior year at Scottsdale High School my brother Tim, my father Bill, and I rode motorcycles to Alaska; taking the Inside Passage by ferry. We had a lot of family there and it was great fun to fly back to my Uncle's private lakeside cabin in their Piper Cubs, flying to Kodiak island as well. - After graduation I attended ASU where I earned a BA degree in English literature and continued the love affair I began in high school with " The Bard". I slip away to Ashland Oregon for live Shakespeare as often as I can. - I did some modeling in college. After college I wanted to be part of the 1974 World's Fair in Spokane Washington, so I moved up there. First I worked at a small travel company, leading tours across the USA and Canada by train and bus, waiting for the Fair to begin hiring. - Persistence paid off and I landed a job in public relations for the American Forest Pavilion, which is sort of ironic I suppose since I have spent much time and energy on environmental issues which include protection of Old growth forests and habitat for endangered species.
" Life is either a grand adventure or it is nothing at all" said Helen Keller. I have always used this famous saying as a touchstone. And though you may see it as a case of the blind leading the blind, for better or worse it has shaped my life. - My bucket list so long I could see 2,492 years of places to see, people to see and things to do. And, of course, bucket lists have a way of growing. I don't regret my mistakes too much because I learned so much from them. And besides If I am not making mistakes, I am not really stretching myself. It's like skiing. When you push to the end of your abilities you often fall. But that's how we break through those barriers, and it absolutely forces you to have a sense of humor. - So what have I learned so far. Life is bigger, stranger, and more mysterious than we can ever comprehend. Whenever I decide to do something the universe seems to conspire to help me. I guess this is called "luck." - What does the future hold? My interest in environmental causes remain strong. I enjoy birding and whale watching. The medical marijuana field had caught my attention due to the extraordinary results they are having with cancer. Oregon and Colorado are leaders in the field at this time, and I may become interested in sales as products develop. I am always searching for little pockets if magic in daily life. Shanti
For as my spiritual teacher said, "There are more jewels in each moment than we can possibly appreciate," Swami Shivananda Radha.
In High school I was so shy I was like a cactus with quills of self defense. The nurturing environment allowed me to grow and explore in a very safe and protected place. Beautiful time, place, and people.
The weird thing is that when I look back upon my life it seems to have a trajectory and focus and meaning, however, while I was arriving at crossroads and moving across the country, it seemed rather chaotic.
The paradigm shift that occurs with each generation allowed us to have more importance yet somehow less freedom. But right now the future's so bright I have to wear shades.
Ann Connolly ~ June 2018
Linda Thies (Wilson)
An amazing reflection of life she enjoyed and share with her classmates. She will be remembered and missed. Linda Thies Wilson