Constance Rae Upton Greene

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.

---

 Service Information