J. Lindsay Shearer

Beloved wife, sister, friend, and community advocate J. Lindsay Shearer, 77, passed away at RiverWoods, Manchester, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, after a courageous and graceful battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Lindsay was the daughter of Roland and Betty Shearer. She spent her formative years in Rochester, N.Y., and Wyckoff, N.J., before pursuing her passion for creativity and beauty as a Fine Arts major at the University of Denver.

Lindsay’s life was a testament to love, adventure, and dedication to others. She met her soulmate and husband of nearly 40 years, Raymond J. Connelly, Jr., on a scuba diving trip off the coast of Maine. Together, they built a life filled with laughter, shared dreams, and a deep sense of community, including designing and constructing their home in Auburn, New Hampshire, where for the next 36 years they lived and nurtured a sense of community.

Lindsay’s career spanned community outreach, communications, and public relations. She began her professional journey in New York City, contributing to Ramsey Clark’s U.S. Senate campaign. Her passion for the arts and public service led her to roles with the Institute of Contemporary Arts, the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities, and the Bank of New England. After moving to New Hampshire, Lindsay combined her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to found Shearer & Connelly Consulting Services before transitioning to a leadership role with Healthsource in Hooksett, NH, and later Cigna Healthcare.

Lindsay was an incredible friend to all — her good humor and her willingness to pitch in for anybody was legendary. A good friend and former colleague called her “Someone you can count on no matter what.” She was a mentor and had an ability to bring the utmost tact and grace to even the most challenging situations.

Lindsay and Ray shared a love for hiking, photography, and travel, exploring places as breathtaking as Isle au Haut, Monhegan Island, Yosemite, and national parks and wilderness areas on extended trips across the country. Lindsay’s joyful spirit shone through in her annual cookie-baking extravaganzas and her delight in sharing meals and wine with friends.

Wherever she lived, Lindsay volunteered for local community and business organizations. During her years in New Hampshire, she served on Kids Voting New Hampshire, the NH Commission on Child Care & Early Childhood Education, Federated Arts of Greater Manchester-New Hampshire, the Women’s Business Center, Business for Social Responsibility-New Hampshire Board of Directors, and the United Way of Greater Manchester-New Hampshire Board.

Lindsay is deeply missed by her devoted husband, Ray; her loving sister, Elizabeth (Betsy) Shearer; her brother, Scott Shearer; and her stepfather, Jeffrey Wilkinson. She was predeceased by her parents but leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and a life well-lived.

In honor of Lindsay’s love for animals, art and nature, donations can be made in her name to NH Audubon, the Palace Theatres, or the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter.

A private memorial service will be held in the spring.