Cornelia “Connie” (Connolly) Selly, of Le Center, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 28 th , 2020, her 94 th birthday, with her family present at her side at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, MN.
Connie will be honored with a prayer service on Monday, March 2 nd , at 3:45pm, with a time of gathering immediately following until 7pm and will continue on Tuesday, March 3 rd , starting at 9 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 10 am, ALL at Church of St. Mary, 165 N. Waterville Avenue, Le Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Henry Catholic Cemetery, in Le Sueur. Fr. James Stiles presiding and her grandchildren serving as urn bearers.
Thomas and Catherine (Kilduff) Connolly welcomed their second child, Cornelia Frances, on February 28, 1926, at their home in St. Thomas, Minnesota. She was the younger sister to Marie and later, the older sister to twins Jean and John. Her mother passed shortly after the birth of the twins, leaving the children to be raised by their father and other devoted family. The family continued tending to the chores on the farm and practicing their strong faith. Connie attended a one-room schoolhouse in St Thomas through eighth grade then graduated from Belle Plaine High School.
After graduating, Connie took a job in the Twin Cities for a short time before returning home and accepting a position at Green Giant in Le Sueur, where she met her future sister-in-law, who introduced her to Melvin Selly. They started courting and eventually married on November 7, 1949. They settled down on the Selly homestead in St. Henry, MN. Connie and Melvin relished being the proud parents to Carolyn, Tom, Barb, Marianne, Gail, Katie, Curt and Connie. Sadly, Gail passed in 1960 at 21 months old. With any grieving parent, Connie’s faith was tested after losing Gail, but the family continued to spend time together, enjoying road trips in their motorhome. Connie was an amazing mom to her children. Sundays were dedicated to attending church and spending time with relatives and their St. Henry neighbors.
In 1972, Connie reentered the work force at Le Sueur County Social Services. Connie took great pride in helping those in need. After 20 years with the county, Connie retired and began working and volunteering for the churches of St. Mary and St. Henry. Connie moved to Prior Lake in 2015 to be closer to her family, but never forgetting her Le Center friends who she always held near to her heart. After leaving Le Center, Connie relished in any opportunity to reconnect with her roots in the surrounding communities where she grew up and raised her family.
Connie had many passions, which included sewing, making cards, clothes shopping and baking, with her famous cinnamon rolls and fresh breads being an essential part of every gathering. Connie loved playing bridge with friends for over 50 years. She was very proud of her 100% Irish-Catholic heritage, and she was honored to be Le Center’s 2012 St Patrick’s Day grand marshal. Connie was loved by all and loved staying connected.
Connie’s greatest passions were family and faith. She loved being active in her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives, and she enjoyed attending their sporting and school activities. It was Connie’s strong Catholic faith that kept her grounded, strong and devoted to family and others. She was independent and a bit feisty with her Irish spunk, with a great sense of humor.
Forever loved and missed by children, Carolyn (Lee) Halbur, Tom Selly, Barb (Wally) Malinski, Marianne Selly, Katie (Joe) Simonette, Curt (Colleen) Selly, Connie (Jeff) Perila; grandchildren, Katie (Eric) Houselog, Liz (Anthony) Hirschman, Emily (Kyle) Reckinger, Connolly Turek, Sarah (Mark) Alcock, Kristina (Shakul) Tandon, Tom (Emily) Malinski, Stephanie Malinski, Shannon (Shawn) McCort, Brian (Amanda) Simonette, Kelsey (Tyler Tuma) Simonette, Nick Selly, Rachel Selly, Ben Perila, Joe Perila, Brittney (Jack) Rowell; 12 great grandchildren and soon to be 15; special nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Connie was welcomed in eternal peace by her daughter, Gail; parents, Thomas and Catherine; siblings, Marie Woessner, Jean Breunig, and John Connolly.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Selly family.
