Like a ship that's left its mooring

And sails bravely out to sea,

Someone Dear has sailed away

In calm serenity.

Cynthia J. Connolly, age 58, of Manitowoc, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers, WI following a courageous battle with colorectal cancer.

Cindy was born on November 14, 1956 in Concord, MA to Rita R. (Anelons) Connolly and the late Norman N. Connolly. She grew up in Lexington, MA and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1975. Cindy then obtained her Bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 1991 and completed her education by receiving her Masters degree in Social Work from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

As a child, Cindy spent her summers with her family on Cape Cod, MA. As a Girl Scout, she learned how to sail at sailing camp on Martha's Vineyard. Cindy loved the water and truly believed a bad day on the water was better than a good day at work. When she wasn't on the water, she worked as a clinical social worker counseling children. Cindy worked at Innovative Counseling, Inc. in Green Bay, WI for 14 years. Prior to that, she also worked New Wellness Associates and Employee Wellness Associates, both in Green Bay, WI. Cindy was a member of the National Association of Social Workers since 1990 and the Autism Society of America. She enjoyed the outdoors and sailing, camping, hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing. Cindy was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc, WI.

Survivors include Cindy's life partner: Kim Kaufmann, and beloved collie Marley, of Manitowoc, WI; mother: Rita Connolly, Lexington, MA; two brothers: N. Neil (Maureen) Connolly, Medfield, MA; and Jeff Connolly, Shirley, MA. She is also survived by Mary Kaufmann and Bill Walker, Two Rivers, WI and William Gutowski, Medfield, MA. Cindy was a beloved aunt to Timothy Carrigan, Bridget Carrigan and Patrick Connolly, all of Medfield, MA; Eric Nelson, Madison, WI and Laura (Michel) Llorens of Paris, France. Cindy was a beloved great aunt to Adele Nelson Dahl of Madison, WI and Charlie Llorens of Paris, France and looking forward to the birth of Sammy Llorens. She was preceded in death by her father: Norman N. Connolly; maternal grandparents: George and Eva Anelons; and paternal grandparents: Michael and Anna Connolly.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, May 25, 2015 at St. James Episcopal Church, 434 North 8th Street, Manitowoc. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at noon. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made in Cindy's name to St. James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc.

The family would like to thank Pastor Diane Murray, the congregation at St. James Episcopal Church, the doctors, nurses and staff at Aurora Medical Center and The Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic for all their loving support.