Constance B. (Blanchard) O'Connor

LONGMEADOW

Constance (Blanchard) O’Connor age 78, passed away in her home with her family by her side after a short, courageous battle with colon cancer.

“Connie”, our beautiful mother and Grammy spread joy and vibrance for life every day with every person she encountered.

Daughter of the late Henry and Enis (Fortini) Blanchard, Connie was born and raised in Holyoke, MA in the home her father built. She graduated from Precious Blood High School in 1960. She believed her 11 year marriage gave her 3 of her biggest blessings - her children.

She leaves behind her daughter Darlene and her husband Mark Henshaw of Longmeadow, her daughter Kimberly and her son-in-law Jon Lindenberg of Virginia and her son Brian and his wife Amy O’Connor also of Longmeadow. Her greatest joy were her 10 “chickens”- grandchildren Mary, Emma & Lily Henshaw, Peyton, Cassidy, Taylor and Brody Lindenberg and Kyle, Shane and Finn O’Connor. They loved their adventures “scootin” around with their Grammy in her beloved car! She is also survived by her brother Richard Blanchard and sister Carolyn Everett.

In 2008 Connie was diagnosed with and conquered Multiple Myeloma. This put an end to her 32 year career running her in home day care for hundreds of children and families- all of whom she cherished as her own.

She celebrated her retirement but, loved being busy and started her second career as a sample lady at Costco in Enfield, CT. She loved seeing all of her friends and making new ones every day. Her days at Costco were filled with her beloved Costco friends and chats with generations of children and families she’d cared for, as well as, friends & family from near and far. Nothing brought her more joy than giving out treats.

Connie was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Longmeadow for 47 years, where she also served as a member of the Ladies Guild. You could find her there every Sunday at the 11:00am Mass.

Our mom beat the odds and became an 11 year survivor of Multiple Myeloma. Virtually a miracle. The colon cancer took us all by surprise but her cancer team at Sister Caritas rallied and supported her in her final days. We would like to thank the tireless efforts of an incredible team at Mercy Hospital- Dr. Masih U. Farooqui M.D.  and her long-time infusion nurses and friends Becky and Mari.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Connie’s memory can be made to:  Sister Caritas https://give.mercycares.com/gift-of-light

Services are entrusted to Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home. Due to Covid restrictions, Connie’s family will host a celebration of her life at a later date when hugging and gathering are safe again. April 2021 SERVICE UPDATE: Relatives and friends and invited to a Mass of Christian Burial for Connie on Saturday, May 22nd at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow MA 01106. Burial will follow in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery in Chicopee.

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