Constance Rae Upton Greene
May 1, 1933 ~ July 19, 2018 (age 85) 85 Years OldShare using:
Constance Rae Upton Greene of Mansfield passed away peacefully Thursday, July
19, 2018. Born May 1, 1933 in Hartford Connecticut, Constance was the daughter
of Ray G. Upton and Helen M. (Colla) Upton who predeceased her.
Connie is survived by her three daughters – Vicki Lynn Piasecki and her husband
Philip John Piasecki of Mansfield Connecticut, Jodi Rae Greene and her
companion Joseph Presti of Preston Connecticut, Kelli Jo Baker and her husband
Steven Baker of Georgia; three grandchildren – Samantha Rae Tanner of Georgia,
Tyler Cameron Piasecki of Mansfield Connecticut, and Dallas Rhea Baker of
Georgia; and three great grandchildren – Denver, Korbin, and Sienna, all of
Georgia.
Connie also leaves her brother, Robert G. Upton of North Carolina and her sister
Joan L. Upton of South Windsor Connecticut, along with seven nieces and
nephews.
Connie was predeceased by her eldest brother Richard T. Upton of New York and
Florida, her sister-in-law Mary-Jane Upton, and her special friend companion
Harry Morse.
As a youngster in her early years, Constance and her brother Richard were under
contract with a Hartford Connecticut radio station for “Children’s Hour”, a weekly
program where they performed on stage as a tap dance duo. They enjoyed
performing weekly for group socials and entertained at many community events.
Constance attended schools in Hartford, Manchester and was a Girl Scout, 4H
Member, and Junior High Class Treasurer. Connie later moved with her family to
Coventry and Graduated with Honors from Windham High School. She was a
popular student, Majorette, played Basketball, was in the Glee Club, Windham
Players, Washington Club, Rifle Club, and received a Voice of Democracy Award.
Following high school graduation, Constance worked for SNET Company. Shortly
thereafter, Connie enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was
stationed at the Company 25 Naval Base in Great Lakes Illinois. Connie then was
accepted into the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School where she attended school in
Bainbridge Maryland. Connie later returned to Great Lakes Illinois for a
promotion to take on a position vacated by a Sailor who retired. Constance
elevated into a new rank after being honored by the Commanding Officer for
achieving the highest test score at the entire naval base. Her name, Constance
Rae Upton is etched on the U.S. Navy Veterans Monument located at the
Veterans Memorial Green in Coventry Connecticut in honor of those who served
in the Korea Conflict.
Connie moved to Mansfield shortly after she married and fulfilled her next goal to
become a mother. She was devoted to her children. Connie was very active
throughout her three daughters elementary and high school years, assisting with
many school projects and social events, plays and artwork, active member of the
PTO, Girl Scouts, and a Room Mother for her children’s classrooms at Annie E.
Vinton Elementary School. Connie was a past member of the Mansfield Junior
Women’s Club and participated in various Charities to include the American Heart
Fund Association and Cancer Drive.
Connie worked for the family business founded by her Father and Mother, Upton
Construction Inc. Later on she was employed in Nursing at Windham Hospital
Connecticut until her retirement. She found nursing to be a rewarding career,
working on several specialty floors for surgical, pediatric, and orthopedic.
Connie’s retirement brought her great joy on adventures taken with her
companion Harry as they traveled throughout the northeast. She always had a
goal to accomplish, the next adventure planned, and a new story to tell every day.
Connie had a passion for researching news events – traveling to town sites of
news interests and report first hand of her own story. Connie was actively in
contact with Mansfield town politicians and Connecticut state representatives to
voice her thoughts and offer her opinions. Connie supported all Mansfield town
events, trips, attended many town meetings, luncheons, music interests, parades,
etc. She also participated in many various University of Connecticut Storrs
Campus social events, dedications, and was an avid fan of the UCONN Men and
Women Basketball.
Connie had a true love for life. She expressed a wonderful love of nature and
enjoyed all the simple joys of life. Connie had a beautiful passion for flowers and
planted exquisite garden themes, enjoyed her displays of rock collections and
many creative crafts. She loved to talk and had a fondness for all people. Connie
believed everyone had a story to tell that she enjoyed listening to and she always
had one to share that she always expressed with great enthusiasm. Connie was
smart, artistic, and creative with everything she touched.
Connie/Grammy was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her children
and grandchildren. Her family misses her dearly and will lovingly carry on her
traditions that she shared with us.
The family is thankful for the compassionate and professional care that Connie
received by the doctors, nurses, and staff at The Regency, Vanderman Place and
Beacon Hospice.
At the request of Constance, there will be no calling hours and the funeral will be
private with immediate family members. Arrangements were made with Potter
Funeral Home for an Episcopal graveside funeral with U.S. Navy Honors at the
New Mansfield Center Cemetery, Mansfield Center Connecticut.