Kathleen (Constine) Dinan

Kathleen Constine Dinan, 70, of Mansfield Center, CT died peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 after a long illness. Blessed from childhood with grace and serenity, she found joy in each appearance of beauty she encountered, and had a tremendous talent for delight. Kathleen was an inveterate gift-giver: her gifts ranged from tastefully wrapped and ribboned holiday and birthday presents to fresh-baked cookies or pies to undivided, attentive listening.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts Kathy lived most of her life in the Mansfield area.  She graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College with a BA in elementary education and later went on to earn her MA. It was there that she also met the love of her life, John Dinan. They were married in 1972.

 A beloved and creative teacher in the Mansfield schools for 30 years, she received the town’s Teacher of the Year award in the 1992-1993 school year.  She was a positive force in countless children’s lives. After retiring in 2003, Kathy continued to be involved in education. She taught teacher preparation classes at Eastern Connecticut State University and supervised student teachers throughout Connecticut for several years. In 2012 she became the Executive Assistant to the Director of Off-Campus Programs at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford and was employed there for many years.

Kathy was also a patron of the arts. While teaching in Mansfield, Kathy worked with an artist-in-residence who ran a music festival on Swan’s Island, Maine, a place she and John visited for many years. For the past 20 years, Kathy attended Sweet Chariot Music Festival on the island, the first time as a member of the audience, and the next year, as a member of the festival family. She also lived in Ojai, California for a time during her retirement and enjoyed running an art gallery there with Nancy Main. It was aptly called Kathleen Dinan Gallery.

Kathy will be remembered for her kindness, her graceful presence, and her delight in sharing wonder with both children and adults. She will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, John Dinan; her mother, Lillian Constine; and her brothers John Constine and Robert Constine. She is survived by her father, Clesson Constine of Spring Hill, Florida and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the CT Chapter of Donate Life, the CT Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, UNICEF, or WAIM (Windham Area Interfaith Ministry). You can also honor her memory by performing random acts of kindness.

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