Jennifer Helene Connolly, 46, of Shady Side, Maryland, passed away on May 22, 2026, after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma.
She was born on March 8, 1980, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, Maryland. Her family moved shortly after her birth to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where Jennifer grew up and attended Holy Family School in Phoenixville and Saint Pius X High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. She was self-driven and competitive from a young age, participating in cheerleading, softball, and field hockey all throughout her school years. After graduating from high school in 1998, she attended Shippensburg University earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2002 and went on to graduate from University of Baltimore with a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2004.
Jennifer was employed by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC as Assistant Director of Human Resources and Recruitment. She previously worked at the American Correctional Association as Director of Administration and Grants and was also employed by Dr. Cynthia Smith as Grant Administrator. In her free time, she enjoyed staying active, working out, and running.
Jennifer’s primary focus and greatest love in her life were her two girls, Grace and Charlotte “Charly”. She always encouraged them to try their hardest, do well in school, stay active, involved, and be kind. She was not only their mother, but their forever cheerleader, and their best friend. She proudly wore the title of “Dance Mom” devoting countless hours to practices, rehearsals, competitions, travel and celebrations always cheering her girls on with unwavering love and pride. She cherished her family and friends, who were the center of her life and the source of her greatest joy. She loved bringing people together and thrived on planning family vacations, especially magical trips to Disney where countless treasured memories were made. Jennifer was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and enthusiastically cheered them on, win or lose.
Jennifer is survived by her daughters, Grace and Charlotte (Charly); her parents, Brian and Mary (nee Muth) Connolly of Shady Side, MD (previously from Phoenixville, PA), aunts and uncles Kevin Connolly, Michael & Susan (nee Connolly) Cihak, David McAvoy, Brendan & Sharon (nee Reynolds) Connolly, and Margaret (nee Muth) Grove, as well as numerous cousins, and her beloved canine companions, Bear and Roxy. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Charles J. and Margaret R. (nee Johnson) Connolly; maternal grandparents, Andrew C. and Charlotte E. (nee Johnson) Muth; aunts and uncles Cynthia (nee Saul) Connolly, F. DeSales (nee Connolly) McAvoy, Charlene (nee Muth) and Frederick Wallbillick.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, May 31, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. and from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD. The funeral mass will take place on Monday, June 1, 11:00 A.M., at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, 1601 W Mount Harmony Rd, Owings, MD. Burial to take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Martin’s Home, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD 21228 or via: https://littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org
