Kristine Renee Connolly

Kristine Renee Connolly, age 55, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with illnesses associated with lupus. Born on December 28, 1970, in Austin, Texas, Kristine lived a life full of creativity, and compassion that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Kristine grew up in Texas, daughter of Sheila and Dale Roper, with a natural sense of style and hospitality that would later define much of her life. Kristine grew up in central and south Texas spending much of her childhood in San Antonio, Texas.

A lover of music and a child of the ‘70s, she could usually be found listening to all rock and pop of the era being a big fan of acts like Fleetwood Mac and the Bee Gees. Among her other hobbies and interests, she loved TV and movies, especially comedies like The Office and Christmas Vacation. One of her favorite pastimes include quoting her favorite lines. Her pop trivia was second to none and there was never a song for which she didn’t know the words.

She married her husband, Thomas Connolly, on May 24, 1989, that spanned nearly four decades. They were blessed with two sons and many pets, mostly their precious Scottie dogs, filling their homes with lots of noise and activity. As a devoted and supportive military spouse, Kristine spent 22 years alongside Tom during his United States Air Force career. Together, they built a life filled with many adventures and trips with the resilience of moving to new places, meeting new friends, and creating a home wherever duty called.

Kristine had a natural talent and skill for interior design, and it was more than a pastime; it reflected her personality. Kristine had an eye for beauty and a gift for making every space feel warm, inviting, and uniquely hers through a combination of thrifty finds and arts and crafts know-how. Her favorite artist was Claude Monet, using his works as inspiration many times and was blessed to tour his home and gardens in Giverny, France in 2019. Friends and family often said that no one could walk into her home without being amazed by the attention to detail and the sense of comfort she effortlessly created. She hosted countless gatherings, filling each one with laughter, good food (courtesy of her chef husband), and genuine connection. Her jovial spirit, ability to connect people, and unforgettable laugh made her the glue that brought together every celebration.

Throughout her life, Kristine also found joy in travel. The life of a military spouse gave her the opportunity to live in beautiful places such as Germany and Hawaii and to explore many other places across the United States and Europe. She visited more than half of the US and several countries including France, England, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Italy. Wherever she went, she took the time to learn about the people, languages and cultures around her, embracing each experience with curiosity and gratitude.

Kristine also poured her energy into helping others. As someone who understood firsthand the challenges of living with lupus, she created and managed a support group called “Lighthouse for Lupus.” Through this community, she offered encouragement, shared information, and built a network of compassion for people navigating similar struggles. Her kindness and empathy shone brightly in every interaction and every person she supported, especially those who met the same fate prior to herself due to lupus complications.

Kristine is survived by her husband, Thomas Connolly; her son, Cody Ryan Connolly and his wife, Hyemin Yoo and their son, Logan Thomas Connolly; her son, Justin Tyler Connolly; her mother, Sheila Roper; her sister, Meagan Roper; her brother, Travis Roper; her aunt, Janet Terrell; her niece Kinsley Roper; and several cousins. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The most important thing to remember about Kristine is that she spent much of her life striving to live by the Christian principles of charity, hospitality, understanding, compassion, inclusivity, and patience. Kristine was a caring wife, a wonderful mother, a kind friend and a smiling stranger to those she briefly met. While her life may have been too short in many aspects, God blessed her with many people, talents, and opportunities to enjoy life for which her family and church community is eternally grateful.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1800 Seton Drive, Crofton, Maryland 21114, at 11 am on March 24, 2026. Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Kristine's name to Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org will be appreciated.