Carolyn Greer Connelly

She was born in Wilmington, April 18, 1940, the daughter of Gardner Davis and Louise Perry Greer. She graduated from New Hanover High School, Class of 1958; from Wilmington College (now UNCW) and from East Carolina College (now ECU). She taught school at J. C. Roe Elementary School and later, for the U. S. Department of Defense in Alaska, the Far East, Europe and the Middle East.

While in Japan, Carolyn was a Red Cross Volunteer at the Yokota Air Base, where she offered comfort to wounded GIs returning from Vietnam.

Her creative and artistic abilities were developed under the guidance and instruction of local artists, Emma Lossen, Hester Donnelly, Claude Howell and others. She became an award winning artist, participating in a number of domestic and international juried art shows. Her most recent interest was in painting flowers which are part of the North Carolina landscape, especially those at Airlie Gardens.

In England, she met and married her husband of 45 years, Peter, an Air Force officer and helicopter pilot. Carolyn was a superb hostess, who greatly enjoyed planning parties and events, wherever she and Peter were posted, making friends all over the world. She was especially fond of her dogs (and everyone else’s!). She particularly enjoyed cooking and working in her yard.

After retiring to Wilmington, Carolyn was a volunteer for the Republican Party and for Airlie Gardens. She was a member of the Carolina Yacht Club, where she enjoyed spending summer evenings rocking on the upstairs porch. She and Peter continued their travels to many places in the United States and overseas.

Survivors include, her husband, Col. Peter J. Connelly; her brother, Robert G. Greer and wife, Lou; her niece, Ashley Greer McCormack and husband, Brian, all of Wilmington; and her niece, Ellen Greer Buffaloe and husband, David of Raleigh. Two great-nieces, Megan McCormack and Mary Carson Buffaloe; and, one great-nephew, Marshall Buffaloe also survive.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel. The Rev. Cameron Hunt will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.