Family and friends gathered at the Bethel Dog Park on Saturday afternoon to remember community member Denise Sarett Connolly, whose dedication and efforts helped to make such a place possible.

Connolly passed away unexpectedly in January, but her memory among community members lives on. A new bench was unveiled at the dog park, dedicated in Connolly’s name.

Connolly’s husband and son, Michael and Chris, joined with Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm as well as Councilmember Lillian Hendrickson, Town Clerk Rita Sheehan, Town Tax Collector Susan Brown Otto and other community members.

“The town and I are grateful to Denise for her longtime support of many town initiatives and projects,” Sturm said. “She was dedicated and committed to not only building and maintaining this dog park for all to use, but to making it the best that it could be.”

Bethel’s 40,000-square foot dog park in managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers.

Sturm recalled how Connolly was one of the original committee members, had a hand in the design of the park and helped to lead fundraising efforts to build and maintain the park.

Michael Connolly thanked everyone for attending and said he only wished Denise was there to see it.
“She is here,” someone in the crowd responded.

Chris, who is a member of the United States Armed Forces, also thanked everyone for coming out.

“She cared about all of this a lot,” Chris said, recalling how Denise would often call him to talk about all she was working on.

Sturm said a bench dedication is an honor reserved for those who have meant a lot to the community and donated their time and effort to make the town better.

“We thank her for everything,” Sturm said.