Delores Knox “Jiggs” Connolly, a Canton legend, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2023. Jiggs was born December 30, 1920, in Harmony, Minn., to Leland and Leona (Kimball) Knox. She graduated from Canton High School in 1938. On July 7, 1943, Jiggs married Maurice Connolly in El Paso, Tex., later moving to Rapid City, S. Dak., before making their home in Canton. To this union, two sons were born – Daniel and James.
After moving to Canton, Jiggs worked as the Canton Postmaster in Charge for the United States Postal Service and at the Rochester Post Office until retiring in 1985. She was a life-long member of Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, its Altar Society and rosary group, the Prorati Library Club, the Canton Ladies Birthday Club, and the “lunch bunch.”
Jiggs was a homemaker and enjoyed baking her famous sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, and lemon poppy seed bread. The cookie jar was always full when kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and friends stopped by. To her, it didn’t matter who walked through the door, she loved to visit and share news and stories. She also spent several years involved in the annual Assumption Church Meatball Dinner. Jiggs was known as the “life of the party,” always enjoying visiting and sharing a drink – most often her favorite, Black Velvet with a splash of water.
Jiggs is survived by her two sons: Dan Connolly of Preston, Minn., and Jim (Karen Garnes) Connolly of Port Charlotte, Fla.; three grandchildren: Raquel Connolly-Marlow, Tracy (Kelly) Lee, and Justin (Erin) Connolly, seven great-grandchildren: Danielle Connolly, Riley Marlow, Maddie and Grant Lee, and Sam, Jack, and Miles Connolly; and many loved family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Maurice, her parents Leland and Leona Knox, and siblings Stanford, Juanita, Kathleen, and Roland.
A funeral service for family and friends will take place Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Canton. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Canton with Father McGrath officiating. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Assumption Catholic Church Altar Society or Calvary Cemetery fund.
The family would like to thank the staff at Traditions of Preston, Moments Hospice, and all the friends and family who cared for Jiggs.
Denise Hauptly says
Beautiful tribute ! We can’t say enough about our sweet Auntie .. . She was placed by God in the loving arms of all that have survived her. Bravo for a life well lived and to each of you that loved on her !