OLD LYME—On Nov. 8, 2025, Nathan M. Shippee, a former resident of Old Lyme, was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Veterans Hall of Fame.
Shippee’s wife Patricia was kind enough to inform us of this great honor, which has been bestowed upon her late husband.
OLD LYME—Constance Demis Knauff, 88, passed away Oct. 30, 2025, in Old Lyme. Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Knauff. She leaves three children, Anne E. Knauff, Gretchen Knauff and Robert Knauff (Laura); three grandchildren, … and one great-grandchild.
Born to Michael and Helen Weronick Demis, Connie was raised in Norwich Connecticut and graduated from Norwich Free Academy. She met her husband while she was a student at Bryn Mawr College. They were married in 1958, and spent their early years together living as a Coast Guard family … and eventually settling back in Connecticut …
Burial services will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries in Essex, Connecticut. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com.
Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published by The Day on Nov. 11, 2025.
OLD LYME–Decoda, Musical Masterworks’ ensemble-in-residence, has announced two free concerts in Old Lyme as part of its mission to create a more compassionate and connected world through chamber music.
Musical Masterworks invites the public to an interactive family concert on Saturday, Nov. 22 and a “Celebration of Joy and Gratitude” concert on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Across a weeklong residency at Musical Masterworks, Decoda brings together students, families, and music lovers for programs that blend classical mastery with contemporary imagination.
The residency features Decoda artists Clara Lyon, violin; George Meyer, violin; Sæunn Thorsteinsdöttir, cello; and Catherine Gregory, flute.
Interactive Family Concert
Saturday, Nov. 22
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane
Attendees are invited to explore tempo, dynamics, and tone through hands-on music-making as they create a new anthem of thanks. They’ll leave with creative prompts to continue the musical celebration at home during the holiday week.
A Celebration of Joy and Gratitude
Sunday, Nov. 23
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road
The program will explore music for flute and strings, spanning Mozart to contemporary reimaginings that include a fiddle-inspired duo by Decoda’s George Meyer and flutist-composer Valerie Coleman. The concert will be followed by a light reception to meet the musicians.
No reservations are required.
NEW LONDON–Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law this month will honor two unrelated attorneys with the same last name — Carolyn P. Kelly and Kristi D. Kelly — for their achievements and leadership in the legal profession.
The firm in a press release said the women’s legacy of integrity, intellect, and service will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 13, at Rocks 21 Restaurant in Mystic.
Old Lyme resident Kristi D. Kelly, a director at the firm, is being recognized nationally for her excellence in labor, employment, and municipal law. She recently received the Women, Influence & Power in Law “Law Firm Collaborative Leadership Award” in Washington D.C. and was honored as an “Unsung Hero” at the New England Legal Awards on October 23 in Boston.
She represents municipalities including Old Lyme, public agencies, and private employers across Connecticut and has dedicated pro bono service to veterans through the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, earning the 2020 Hon. Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Service Award.
She leads Suisman Shapiro’s Human Resources Committee and will launch the firm’s first Women in Leadership Committee in 2025.
Eric Callahan described Kristi Kelly’s leadership and compassion as inspiring.
“Together, she and Carolyn [Kelly] exemplify the best of Suisman Shapiro,” he said.
The firm said Carolyn Kelly is retiring following a career defined by her intellectual rigor and pioneering impact on workers’ compensation law.
An authority under the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Defense Base Act, she has successfully argued multiple landmark cases before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, helping to shape modern case law.
The firm said Carolyn Kelly, a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Oregon School of Law as one of only four women in her class, spent her career breaking barriers and mentoring younger lawyers. She is a past President of the Connecticut Bar Association, served on the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors, and is a Trustee Emeritus of the Sea Research Foundation, which operates Mystic Aquarium.
Eric Callahan, managing partner, said her “… intellect and courage have made a lasting impact on the law and on our firm.”
Editor’s Note: This story by Karla Ciaglo was originally published Nov. 10 on CTNewsJunkie.com. Both CTNewsJunkie.com and olwenonline.com/ are members of the national Local Independent Online News organization.
EAST HARTFORD—With the average rent in Connecticut near $1,975, a new poll from the Regional Plan Association found that nine in ten residents believe Connecticut is “not doing enough” to expand affordable housing. Nearly as many blame outdated zoning rules and infrastructure limits for the problem.
With a special legislative session scheduled this week to pass a bill aimed at addressing the issue, Gov. Ned Lamont, legislative leaders, and a coalition of local officials gathered in East Hartford to unveil what they called a reset: a bipartisan housing proposal that replaces the mandates of the vetoed House Bill 5002 with incentives, infrastructure investment, and regional planning.
“This is a very important bill that gives people the incentives,” Lamont said. “They know the state is going to be there as their partner when it comes to sewer and water, higher reimbursement on schools, more rail train stations — doing everything we can to help build the housing we need.”
The measure keeps key features of the earlier proposal while answering the loudest objections from small-town officials …
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