Constance Deering Smythe, known as Connie and Gran, was born in Pittsfield, MA to George and Martha Deering on April 5, 1932. She departed this earthly life on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Connie grew up in Brookline and Needham, MA. Her father, George “Bud” Deering worked in banking and real estate. Her mother, Martha Silva Deering, was a school teacher. Connie was a gifted student and athlete (field hockey, four varsity letters in high school), being recognized in Who’s Who of high school students in 1949-50. Friday afternoons in her childhood were frequently spent at Fenway Park in Boston. Her mother, with another teacher and a few classmates, walked to the ballpark to attend ladies’ day games as school let out early on Fridays. Her hero was Ted Williams who signed several items of memorabilia for her. She attended Pembroke College at Brown University with the encouragement of a benefactor, common in those days as Ivy’s do not provide merit, talent or athletic scholarships.
On the first Friday of freshman week, September 1950, she met Robert John “Jack” Smythe. They held their first date that Saturday and married in 1955. Connie graduated in 1954 with an AB degree in zoology. She went to work in the Deaconess laboratory at Harvard University as a researcher. After a decade at home raising her children, she re-entered the workforce as a histologist, subsequently working in hospitals and labs in New Jersey where the family moved in 1960.
Connie greatly enjoyed traveling, art, and theater. She traveled with Jack to Hong Kong and to China before the damming of the Yangtze River. They traveled to Spain twice with their art professor, to Europe twice annually after Jack’s retirement, organized family trips to Cape Cod, Outer Banks, St. Croix, Smoky Mountains, Acadia National Park and Martha’s Vineyard. Through the years Connie visited 42 countries.
She loved her two dogs, Geoffrey and Brandy. She also volunteered extensively, reviewing scholarship applications with the Montclair Women’s club, leading various PTA activities and later engaging in AAUW, DAR, Great Decisions discussion group and a gourmet dining group.
Connie and Jack had three children. Today, she is fondly remembered by her daughter, Lauren (Ken), her grandchildren: Kevin (Megan), Kim (Mike), Kyle (Sharon), Todd, and Megan (Ethan); and her son, David (Tricia), and grandchildren: Dan, Erin (Dan), and Andrew. She was particularly proud to be the great-grandmother to Kevin’s children, Tessa, Will, Alex, Josh and Emma; Kim’s children, Beckett and Braxton; and Erin’s child, one-year old Nathan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Silver Maples Kaleidoscope Concerts or Art Matters online at Senior Living Donations - Silver Maples of Chelsea or by calling or emailing 734-627-6544, ext 214; kbradley@silvermaples.org.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Maples Room at Silver Maples of Chelsea on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., where the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
