Marcia Kemp Isbell Connolly, age 88 years, a resident of Elkins, passed away Wednesday morning, October 10, 2012 in the Davis Memorial Hospital. She was born August 7, 1924 in Roanoke, VA. a daughter of the late William Arthur Isbell and the late Marcie Kemp Isbell. On August 30, 1947, in Roanoke, she was married to Linney Lee Connolly who survives in Elkins. Also surviving are two daughters, Joan Connolly Traynelis and husband Dr. Vincent C., Traynelis of Chicago, IL. and Karen Ann Connolly of Alexandria, VA. Three grandchildren, Vincent Lee Traynelis, Laura Traynelis Walker and husband Ulises Walker and Matthew Connolly Traynelis, all of Chicago, IL. Marcia graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke, VA.in 1941 and from National Business College in Roanoke the following year. From 1942 until 1944 she was a secretary to the Superintendent of Police in Roanoke. In 1945, she went to work as secretary to the district manager of Montgomery Ward in Roanoke leaving that position in 1948 when she and Lee moved to Reidsville, NC at which time she became clerk to the Municipal Court in Reidsville. In 1952, Marcia and Lee moved to Cincinnati, OH after Lee joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 1954, they moved to Charleston, WV where Marcia was employed as Executive Secretary to the Assistant to the President of Columbia Gas from 1954 to 1956. Marcia and Lee moved to Elkins in 1958. In 1976, she began work as the secretary to Professor Dennis Lindberg and she became clerk of Company C of the West Virginia State Police in 1978 where she was employed until her retirement in 1986. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Circle No 5 of the church, a Life Member of the Women’s Club of Elkins having served as President from 1978 to 1980 and 1988 to 1990. She had resided at Colonial Place since the summer of 2011 and enjoyed playing bridge and in earlier years, she and Lee found great pleasure dancing as members of the Terpsichorean Dance Group. Friends may call from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM Saturday, October 13th from the funeral home chapel with Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Marcia Kemp Isbell Connolly.
