Constance Croteau

OXFORD – Heaven became a bit brighter on December 29th, as Constance “Connie” (Lajoie) Croteau, passed from this world to new life, surrounded by her family and the loving staff of Life Care Center of Auburn. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Leon J. Croteau of Oxford, who died in 1987; and two children, Leon G. Croteau who died in 1977, and Suzanne C. Croteau who died in 1960. She leaves sisters-in-law, Cecile Banfill and Lorraine Croteau of Marlboro; and several nieces and nephews including Pauline M. Lajoie of Worcester, whom she loved like a daughter. She also leaves Norman LeBlanc of Oxford and Pamela Reidy of Worcester, who she referred to as her nephew and niece, and Susie LeBlanc of Oxford, her dearest friend. She was predeceased by four brothers, Adalbert, Roland, Marcel, and Robert. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Joseph P.E. and Clara (Gendron) Lajoie, and lived in Worcester before moving to Oxford in 1951. She graduated from Holy Family High School in Worcester and received her associate’s degree from Becker College in Worcester.

Mrs. Croteau was secretary to the superintendent of Oxford Public Schools and principal for the Oxford Middle School and Clara Barton School, for 28 years before retiring in 1994. Previously, she worked for Ford Awning Company and American Mutual Insurance Company, both in Worcester. Mrs. Croteau was a member of the Worcester County Secretaries Association and loved music, playing the keyboard, crossword puzzles, and QVC.

She was a longtime parishioner of St. Roch’s Church in Oxford. She volunteered many hours at the church, was a member of the 334 Club, sang in the choir, and enjoyed her weekly luncheon with the “Church Ladies.”

Connie’s family will always remember the exceptional “end of life” care provided by the staff of Life Care Center of Auburn, whose professional expertise and compassionate hearts made Connie’s last days truly comfortable and peaceful.

A funeral will be held on Monday, January 4, 2016, from Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch’s Cemetery in Oxford. Calling hours are Sunday, January 3, 2016, from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Massachusetts Chapter, 220 North Main St., Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760, or at CFF.org.

Connie's Eulogy

We gather today because we were blessed to have known and loved one of God’s greatest gifts, Constance “Connie” Croteau. If you knew her, you undoubtedly loved her. Upon first meeting her, you were probably struck by her gregarious, effervescing spirit and deeply held joy. After knowing her a while, you realized her joyfulness was second only to her infinite faith and courageous spirit, captured by her favorite bits of advice: "Life doesn't turn out the way you expect it, but you have to make the best of it” and “This too shall pass.”

Connie was bright, loving, generous, extremely intelligent and endlessly appreciative. Her distinguishing characteristic was her adaptability, which helped her through the many changes in her life and kept her mind very sharp. She never stopped living or learning. I will never forget teaching her to use a laptop five years ago. At the age of 87, she took to it like a teenager. She quickly moved from word processing to email, to Facebook and very soon thereafter to Skyping. Soon after she bought her laptop, Pauline and I were travelling to Scotland to visit Aunt Connie’s grandniece, Marcia. We carefully practiced how to make a Skype call and set a time to connect with her while we were in Scotland. Aunt Connie, not only pulled off the Skype call, she dressed to the nines, put on makeup and jewelry and proudly announced to her friends that she was “ going to Scotland ”. We had so much fun on that call. Just a couple of months ago while in the nursing home, she enjoyed a Skype visit with Marcia, totally unassisted by us, we found out about the call later from Marcia.

She did tire of her laptop though last year when she discovered “the Tablet” on her cherished QVC shopping. She purchased a tablet and there was no holding her back. From games and shopping to Skype visits, at the age of 92 she possessed more technical prowess than her beloved niece.

Another distinguishing characteristic of Connie was her grace. She was always gracious and grateful. Beloved by the staff at Life Care Center of Auburn where she spent her last days, she was a “favorite” among the CNA’s because no matter how poorly she felt; she was kind, and always asked about their children, their families, and their day. When Aunt Connie was passing away, one aide said it beautifully, “I have only known her a short time, but I have so many wonderful memories of her to keep.” Connie connected with people because she listened and she cared. She was genuinely interested in you.

Whether you called her “Miss Connie”, Aunt Connie, Connie or “Connie Francis”; whether you were her family, friend, neighbor, church worker, or home health aide, whether you worked with her years ago or recently met her, you were blessed to have known this woman of deep faith.

Aunt Connie experienced many challenges in her life, some with very deep pain, such as the loss of her two children and husband. Not too deep beneath her pain one could always sense her preparedness to accept God’s will. In all circumstances her steadfast religious faith, shaped by the belief, “Thy Will Be Done”, directed her path. In a world that is losing the courage to do God’s will, Connie’s living legacy to all of us is the testament that our own will is never as complete or good as God’s Will.

No remarks about Connie would be complete without noting her humor. Indeed, since her passing, her contagious laugh and broad smile are what people have mentioned most. In the end, she would want us to live a faith-filled life with joy, to face life courageously, and to smile and laugh at least once a day.

It has been said that God will ask us only one question when we arrive in heaven: “Did you love and were you loved?” I can hear Connie now, “Yes Lord, I loved deeply and I was so, so loved.”

By Pamela Reidy – 1/5/16