Constance L. Colligan

June 18, 1921 – July 24, 2022

Constance L. Colligan, 101, of East Charleston, Vermont, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home on July 24, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born Constance Louise Peter in Jersey City, New Jersey on June 18, 1921 to Charles and Margaret Peter (Seggel). In 1926 her family moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. She often reflected on the prosperity of the "Roaring Twenties," the difficult struggles of the Great Depression and the devastation of World War II.

After graduating from Teaneck High School in 1939, Connie began working in New York City, first at New York Life Insurance, and eventually landing positions with Vogue magazine and the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), where she taught color and design. During her time there, she helped with the production of school founder Sherril Whiton's quintessential book, Elements of Interior Design and Decoration.

Her family spent many summers in the resort town of Highland Lake, New York, where Connie met the love of her life, George F. Colligan, a New York City police officer. They were married on July 14, 1951, lived in Manhattan's Stuyvesant Town and had four children before moving to New City, a suburb of New York City in 1963. For over 20 years, Connie balanced homemaking, raising her children and continuing her career with NYSID, working remotely as an instructor long before it became the norm. Connie also learned to sew, knit, crochet and embroider. In addition to a love of music, Connie was a prolific reader of books from a young age until late into her nineties and belonged to several book discussion groups over the years.

Connie and George developed their love of Vermont while vacationing for many years at Lake Hortonia, and later by their association with Camp Winape on Lake Seymour. In 1985, they retired to East Charleston and the beautiful views of Echo Lake and Bald Mountain. They formed a tight knit group of friends, enjoying an active social scene. After her husband George passed away in 1988, she began taking art classes along with several friends, and thus began a new creative chapter in her life.

Over the years she produced numerous paintings depicting scenes of the Northeast Kingdom, New England, and the meadowlands of her native New Jersey, and was greatly influenced by her great uncle, American artist Herman Hartwich (1853-1926).

A few years after George passed, Connie married Dave Sophrin, also recently widowed, and welcomed his daughters Helene and Gail into her extended family. They enjoyed many years together until his passing in 2011.

Connie was very active in both the Four Seasons Garden Club and the Morgan Circle of Friends. It was at the monthly Circle meetings where she became known for her "Health Tips." Fellow members all agreed that her advice was obviously working, and perhaps nothing showed this more than when, at the age of 94, she was dancing up a storm at her granddaughters' weddings.

Throughout the years and with youthful enthusiasm and vigor, Connie's travels took her to California (San Francisco, Napa, The Redwoods, Yosemite), England and Scotland (visiting the settings of so many of her favorite literary characters), Italy ( fully appreciating the art , culture and ambience of Florence, Rome, and Venice), and most recently and closer to home, the majestic coast of Maine.

Connie never lost her love for knowledge and in particular, history and current events. As far back as her teenage years, she was the one who stayed in her seat to watch the news reels during movie intermissions, while the rest went out for popcorn. Up to her final days, she always insisted on watching the news.

Milestones of all kinds were observed over the years, culminating in her 100 ^th birthday in 2021, which she celebrated with family and friends both in New York and in Vermont

Connie will be remembered for living life to the fullest, cherishing her many beloved dogs and cats over the years, taking in the panoramic beauty from her deck, and simply knowing that family was getting together to share good food, good talk, and most importantly, love. She will be dearly missed

Connie is survived by daughters Christine Colligan, New York, NY and Meg Weiss (Steve) of Congers, NY; sons Steve Colligan of East Charleston and Bob Colligan(Ana),of Stamford, CT; grandchildren Joanna  Bamford (Michael), Laura Hoefer (Dave), Kathryn Weiss; great grandchildren, Maeve and Callan Bamford and James and Will Hoefer; and nephews, Bill Jenney and Peter (Pam) Jenney. She was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth Jenney of East Charleston.

Friends may call at the Curtis-Britch and Bouffard Funeral home, Darling Hill Rd in Newport on Monday, August 1 from 4-6 PM. Burial and graveside service will take place on Tuesday, August 2 at 11 AM at the Hillside Cemetery in East Charleston.

A "celebration of life" is planned for a future date.

Should friends wish, contributions may be made to the Orleans-Essex VNA and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, VT 05855 or Dailey Memorial Library, 101 Junior High Drive, Derby, VT 05829. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.