Nicole Jennifer Connelly

Nicole Jennifer Connelly-Hoelscher, deeply beloved wife, daughter, sister, and friend, departed our world on March 5, 2026. Nicole was the light. Her laugh, her smile, and her energy were infectious and drew people to her wherever she went.

Born on September 7, 1984, in Baltimore, Maryland, to John and Debbie (Garrett) Connelly, Nicole was later joined by her younger sister, Jen, in 1990. She grew up in Parkville, Maryland, a proud Irish-American who embraced all things Baltimore—cheering on the Orioles and Ravens while attending Parkville High School.

In 2002, Nicole moved to Southern Maryland to attend St. Mary’s College of Maryland. During her time there she joined the equestrian team, an experience that forged some of her longest and most cherished friendships, built on a shared love of horses and laughter.

Nicole went on to pursue her master’s degree in education at Towson University. Building on her talents as an educator, she grew her career from the classroom into corporate training in the healthcare sector, where she traveled across the country sharing her expertise and passion for learning.

While living in Maryland and beginning her career—and also teaching riding lessons—Nicole rescued her beloved horse, Coronado Charlie, affectionately known as “Chazz.” She competed with him at horse shows and treasured every moment spent riding and living in the countryside of Monkton. Nicole later gifted Chazz to one of her closest friends and equestrian teammates from St. Mary’s, reveling in his success.

Nicole’s work eventually took her to Arizona in 2016, where she met the person who would change her life in every way: her wife, Shawna. Nicole loved her time living in Arizona with Shawna, and the two often spoke of returning one day to the “it’s a dry heat” state—scorpions included. They moved to Tennessee in 2020, prioritizing travel to visit friends and family across Maryland, North Dakota, Arizona, Texas, Montana, and Indiana.

Nicole was joyful. Her gift was making everyone in her life feel special—and we were. She cultivated dozens of deep and lasting friendships throughout every phase of her life, and her consistent devotion to those relationships was remarkable.

Nicole loved literature, music, NOLA, the WNBA, Maryland sports, horses, the Fall, smoosh-faced dogs, the show Friends, sunflowers, and pumpkin delights. Nicole and Shawna often joked that her longest relationship was with her beloved pug, Tank, her steadfast companion during her cross country moves. Through her travels with Shawna, Nicole became an enthusiastic foodie, and the two delighted in exploring new experiences together.

Nicole is lovingly remembered by her wife, Shawna Connelly-Hoelscher, her parents, John and Debbie Connelly; her sister, Jen Connelly, and Jen’s partner Josh Jachowski; her aunts and uncles Donna and Len Shiloh, Patricia Carroll, and Linda and Mike Eben; and many beloved cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandparents and an aunt and uncle, who she is now reunited with in remembrance.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Friday, April 10th, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Nicole’s sensational life will be celebrated on April 11, 2026, following a graveside service beginning at 10:00 AM at Gardens of Faith in Baltimore, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nicole’s honor to The Trevor Project. Nicole was a passionate supporter of her LGBTQIA+ community and family.

Nicole’s light did not leave this world—it lives on in every person she loved with her whole heart.