Betty Jane Connelly

Peacefully, and surrounded by family, Betty Jane Connelly died on Thursday June 23, 2022.  Beloved wife of the late Paul Herbert Connelly, mother to Cindy Connelly Ryan and Paul Garrett Connelly.  Grandmother to Conal Ryan, sister to Dolores Hubert (deceased) and John Rhoden, sister-in-law to Ann Connelly, Karen Connelly, Millie Connelly, and Sandra Rhoden; Roy Hubert (deceased), Bill Connelly (deceased), Ben Connelly (deceased), Normal Connelly (deceased), Margaret Connelly (deceased); and beloved aunt and anchor to an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. Scholar, Industry Pioneer, Activist, and Mother, Betty was born in Braddock, PA in 1941 and grew up on Troy Hill in a family in the baking business.  Betty was educated at Wheeling Jesuit College and earned her PhD in philosophy from Duquesne University. She later joined her husband, Paul in their business Construction Tool Service, as co-owner and President.  Back then there were few women in the workplace or management, and she broke many barriers in her career by knowing the products, customers and inter-workings of the business. She penned many papers on industry trends and strategy regarding STAFDA, Evergreen and other industry groups in her free time. Long-time member and officer of the Pittsburgh Group Against Smog and Pollution and the Squirrel Hill Historical Society, among her many civic engagements, Betty co-edited and co-wrote the Society’s 2005 publication ‘Images of America: Squirrel Hill’ and contributed to ‘Squirrel Hill: A Neighborhood History’ (2017). Previously she published ‘Second Careers for Homemakers’ (1980) and ‘How to Find a Good Job in Pittsburgh’ (1983) while Project Director at the Job Advisory Service. Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Sunday from 2-6p.m. Funeral Monday, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral 9:30a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (https://waterandlife.org), the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (https://trustarts.org), or the Hospice Foundation of America (https://hospicefoundation.org/).

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