Kinleigh M. "Kinny" Connelly

Kinleigh “Kinny” M. Connelly, 8, of Hanover, PA, entered God’s eternal care and was made whole again and fully healed on Friday, November 22, 2024, at home with her loving family right by her side.   

Born May 20, 2016, in Columbia, MD, she was the loving daughter of Timothy M. and Meighan M. (Rourke) Connelly.   

Kinleigh was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she made all of her Sacraments and attended SRI.

Kinleigh was in 3rd grade at West Manheim Elementary School and was then home schooled after her cancer diagnosis. She loved learning and her favorite subject was math.

Kinleigh loved all things Disney and visited Disney World five times including traveling there to compete in The World Dance Competition in the summer of 2023. Kinny started dancing at the age of 3 at the Hanover School of Ballet. At 5 years old she was invited as the youngest member of the Hanover Children’s Ballet Theatre and Company.  Before that, she was a cheerleader with SJC Cheer. Kinny took tumbling classes and private lessons at the YMCA as well. 

Kinny loved the beach and swimming in her pool at home. She was a “water-bug” and was gifted a hot tub by numerous foundations, family and friends. Kinleigh loved puzzles, board games and creating art. She used art as her therapy throughout her diagnosis. Kinleigh was a part of the Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries-Horseback Riding in Gettysburg, PA.  She loved getting to ride her horse Roxy.

Kinleigh truly loved being with her family and extended family and was so happy and proud to be with them on all of their adventures. A big part of her family was her beloved puppy, Cookie, and she never left her side.

Kinny loved all the Philly sports teams and was able to go to many games and meet many athletes. Kinny’s favorite experience was meeting Phillies baseball player, Nick Castellanos, not once but twice.

In addition to her loving parents, Kinleigh is survived by her older brother, Daniel, her older sister, Briehan, and her younger sister, Maeve, her paternal grandparents, Brian, P. Sr. and Eileen C. (McCollum) Connelly, her maternal grandfather, Thomas S. Rourke, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Sue L. (Thelin) Rourke, and her aunt, Shannon M. Connelly. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kinleigh will be held 11AM, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA, with Father Michael Rothan as celebrant.  The Burial will be held at St.Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Hanover, PA.  Visitations and times to share memories with the family will be held from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and from 10-11 AM, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the church.  The service will be live streamed at www.kenworthyfh.com for those unable to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kinleigh’s name to Storm The Heavens Fund. An organization that spreads awareness and provides funding for desperately needed research to find a cure for DIPG/DMG pediatric brain cancer.

The Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA has been entrusted by the family with the funeral arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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