Julie Wright Connolly

Julie Wright Connolly passed away on August 21st, 2026, after a very short battle with cancer. Julie was born on November 16th, 1954 to Donnell Wright and Pernecia "Perry" Wright (Neé Stinebaugh) in Wichita, Kansas.

Julie attended North High and was elected student body president, graduating in 1972. She was a free spirited "hippie" who appeared in the paper for protesting the war in Vietnam, and standing up for many civil rights and Women's Lib causes throughout the 60s and 70s. At North High's 75 year anniversary, Julie was honored as one of North High's 75 most notable graduates thanks to her 41 years of dedication to the Kansas legal community and the field of law, as well as for her work starting and volunteering with many charitable organizations such as Stepstone program for victims of domestic violence, and was known for her work as a sponsor with Narcotics and Alcoholics anonymous, as well as the Junior League and many other community programs, Julie was also a member of MENSA, showing her incredible intelligence and problem solving skills that would help drive her success later in her career. Julie attended the University of Kansas School of law, and began working as an intern at the District Attorney's Office in Sedgwick County, where she met her husband Daniel, who was a Vietnam Veteran and US Marine. Julie graduated Suma Cum Laude from KU Law and started work as an Assistant District Attorney full time, later moving on to work as City Prosecutor in Park City, KS.

Julie and Dan married in 1985, and then in 1988 she gave birth to premature twin daughters Caitlin and Keely, who both spent a month in the NICU and required another 3 years of constant monitoring. Julie was responsible for the establishment of the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center in Wichita, she saw a need for an intake center, and proactively made sure that the community had resources for juveniles moving in and out of the court system. During this time, Julie was also elected as Administrative Judge to the Wichita Municipal Court, earning accolades for her work. She also was a Judge in Cheney, Goddard, and Bel Aire, continuing her commitment to the community, and earning her a reputation as a fair, compassionate and objective Judge. One of Julie's true passions was teaching. She taught Criminal Law as well as Evidence and Investigations classes at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, she was a Criminal Law Professor at Wichita State University, and later was an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Newman University, and finally she taught Paralegal for a short time at ITT Tech. She left a lasting impact on her students and even people who came through her court room, Her past struggle with addiction before her law career helped her leave a lasting impact with the recovery community and her over 50 years of sobriety was a source of great pride and accomplishment for Julie.

She was a loving mother, a wonderful grandmother, and a true force in the field of law.

She is preceded in death by her parents Perry and Don, and her husband Daniel. She is survived by her twin daughters Caitlin Connolly of Kansas City, Keely Connolly of Wichita, her granddaughter Talleulah Connolly-Mayberry of Wichita, her sister Erin Campbell (neé Wright) of Vero Beach, Brother Jamie Wright of Wichita, and many beloved family and friends.

Julie requested not to have a service, and instead will have her ashes placed next to her husband on his family gravesite in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland, She loved Ireland, it was her second home where her soul was at peace.

A private celebration of life with close family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to Keely and Caitlin at keelyconnolly@live.com