Fansie M Connelly

Fansie M. Connelly, longtime resident of Hillsborough, NJ, died on July 30, 2024. Born in Boston, MA on August 21, 1961, Fansie was the third child of Fanny A. (Martin) Connelly and Thomas M. Connelly. Fansie graduated from Dedham Country Day School (1975), Noble & Greenough (1979), Georgetown University (1983) and received a Master’s in Social Work from SUNY Stony Brook (1990). Fansie also became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Diabetes Educator.

Fansie is survived by her husband of 35 years, Thomas Prusa, and her two children, Haley and Daniel. Fansie taught her children by living the life she hoped for them: hard working, kind and open-minded, generous, and caring for those less fortunate. Her many friends remember her smile and laughter.

Fansie had a lifelong love of horses – both riding and reading about them. Her childhood library was filled with books about horses. Her favorite was Misty of Chincoteague. Even as an adult if someone mentioned Misty (or Stormy, Misty’s foal) Fansie’s eyes would glaze, and a smile would cross her face. She was 10 years old again dreaming. One summer Fansie planned a family trip to Chincoteague for the famous horse swim and auction. It was a dream come true for her. Fansie loved all animals but had a particular fondness for horses, dogs, and cats. Nothing ended a day better for Fansie than sitting in her recliner with a new book to read, a cat in her lap, and her beloved dog, Maisie, at her feet. After she retired as a social worker Fansie volunteered for Health and Recreation through Horses, an organization that provides equine assisted therapy for people with special needs.

Fansie’s life passion was working with people with diabetes, most certainly reflecting her own struggles with the disease – she was diagnosed with the diabetes at age 9. Fansie felt many of her challenges with diabetes stemmed from lack of education when she was initially diagnosed. Fansie ultimately learned to manage her disease, and she spent most of her adult life educating and supporting other diabetics. She often travelled to patients’ homes to educate them about managing the disease and teaching them how to use the latest medical technology. She gave her patients her home telephone number and spent countless evenings providing emotional and educational support. She impacted the lives of countless fellow diabetics.

Fansie enjoyed travel and she loved her trips to Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Tokyo, Paris, London, Rome (among others). But make no mistake, none were Chincoteague!

A celebration of Fansie’s life will be scheduled soon.

Please consider honoring Fansie’s memory by donating to the American Diabetes Association. https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift