`Definite loss for our community'; Student in golf cart accident dies.

Byline: Steven H. Foskett Jr.

SHREWSBURY - A 20-year-old Westfield State College student from Shrewsbury died Monday after a weeklong battle with injuries suffered in a golf cart accident last month on the campus.Elizabeth Connolly, a 2005 graduate of Shrewsbury High School, was remembered fondly in town yesterday as a low-key but friendly classmate and student."It's definitely a loss for our community," said Marc Rischitelli, who coached Ms. Connolly when she competed on the speech and debate team at Shrewsbury High.

Ms. Connolly leaves her parents, Brian and Barbara Connolly, and a brother, Patrick Connolly, of Elma Circle. Reached by telephone last night, the family declined to comment and asked for privacy.

According to the college, Ms. Connolly, who would have been a junior in the fall, was working part time for an orientation program at the college on June 30 when she was in an accident involving a golf cart on the campus. Ms. Connolly was a passenger; a male student was driving, according to the college. College officials have not identified the driver of the golf cart. Ms. Connolly was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where she later died from her injuries.

College officials and police have released scant details surrounding the accident. State police and the Hampden County district attorney's office are investigating.

Hannah Rosen said she was a freshman and Ms. Connolly was a senior when they became friends at Shrewsbury High School. Ms. Rosen said she was nervous that she would lose touch with Ms. Connolly when she left for Westfield State. But she said one thing she learned from Ms. Connolly is to trust in the strength of a good friendship.

"I was 14, she was 18, but she never made me feel younger than her," Ms. Rosen said. "I never once felt like there was an age difference."

Ms. Rosen and Ms. Connolly were in the speech and debate club together, and would meet with friends at Friendly's after Tuesday practice. She returned after graduation to judge local tournaments, and became a sort of mentor to her, Ms. Rosen said.

Ms. Connolly would always try to make the people around her happier, no matter how she was feeling, Ms. Rosen said. She had a thing for the color pink and collected sandals and Vera Bradley handbags, Ms. Rosen said.

"By far, she was the nicest, most thoughtful person I've ever met," Ms. Rosen said.

Mr. Rischitelli said he remembered Ms. Connolly as a low-key but funny person who worked hard and specialized in original oratory, prose reading, and poetry reading.

"She was a delightful person," Mr. Rischitelli said. "I'm at a loss for words."

Kenneth Largess, assistant principal at Shrewsbury High School, said Ms. Connolly was a sweet girl with a shy and retiring demeanor.

"She was a kid who was just unpretentious, happy, and smiling all the time," Mr. Largess said.

According to the college, Ms. Connolly was an education and liberal studies major. Ms. Rosen said Ms. Connolly aspired to be a teacher like her mother, who teaches in the town school system.

She was involved in several campus organizations, according to the college, including the Student National Education Association. She was elected to serve as class treasurer for the coming year, and volunteered off-campus for the Special Olympics and Read Across America, according to the college.

"Liz's loss has deeply affected the Westfield State College community," Barry Maloney, the college's interim president, said in a written statement. "Our thoughts are now with every member of the Connolly family. The outpouring of caring and sympathy is incredible, from both students and mentors in Liz's wide campus network."

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Ms. Connolly