Khalena Marie Connolly-Whack's Obituary
Khalena Marie Connolly-Whack was a vibrant and whimsical 26-year-old from Pittsburgh, PA. Born on May 31st, 1998, Khalena led a spirited life of laughter, spontaneity, love, sweetness, compassion, optimism, and childlike joy.
She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 2016 and attended California University of Pennsylvania. She was a skillful sales woman, but found the most meaning in making cherished memories with her friends and family. She lit up every room she entered. She enriched every heart and soul she encountered. She wowed the Jefferson Hills community in her various roles on the theater stage, making people laugh, which is what she has always done best. She was a loving mom to her guinea pigs. She has returned home to her God who had given her to us, whom she had inspiring faith in; she is beloved by her church community. Khalena had the most beautiful smile; she loved fashion and girlhood. Khalena's life is the purest testament of living fully and loving deeply. She was truly one-of-kind, and she will be adored and remembered in the fondest of ways for the rest of many, many people's lives.
Khalena suddenly, unexpectedly, devastatingly, and tragically passed away much too soon on January 16th, 2025 loved by those who have ever met her. Khalena is preceded in death by her father, Eric Whack, whom she missed every day and has surely been reunited with; and her Aunt Elaine Whack. This angel is survived by her fiercely loving mother, Heather Connolly; her devoted grandparents, Darlene and Walter Smithson; her dear Aunt Jessie Smith; her darling cousin, Rachel (Justin) Allen; her supportive Uncles Shawn, Josh, Christopher, and Dylan; her sweet cousin, Alyssa Connolly; her beautiful sisters, Wysdom Vinski and Erica Harris; her Aunts Maryland and Paula Whack; Cousins Marita, Brandon, Natasha, and Brittney Smith; countless cousins, aunts, and uncles including extended family, the Germanys; her loyal best friends, Madison Baker, Ally Dercole, and Austin Rauso; devout pastors, acquaintances, and anyone else who was fortunate to know her for any amount of time, whether minutes or years. To know her was to instantly love her; to know her was to feel wrapped in her joy.
Visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial on Tuesday January 21st at 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM; and Wednesday the 22nd at 10 AM to 1 PM, with the funeral service beginning at 1, directly following visitation. We ask that you please donate floral arrangements to surround the most beautiful girl with the most beautiful flowers. Also, please consider donating to her GoFundMe to help towards laying her to rest with the dignity and care she so deeply deserves.
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