Constance Jennings Gauvin Obituary (1927 - 2015)

With great dignity and her loving family by her side, Constance Jennings Gauvin, 87, of Portland, died peacefully on January 7, 2015 after a short illness. Connie was born on September 16, 1927 in Providence, RI, the youngest daughter of Theodore Joseph and Flora Blanche DesRosiers St.Onge. She was educated in Rhode Island attending St. Michaels Elementary School in Providence and graduated in 1945 from St. Xaviers Academy. Following high school, Connie worked as a legal secretary in a law office in Providence, RI. She met and married her husband, Thomas R. Jennings, a USN Meteorologist stationed in Newport, RI in 1951. Shortly after marriage, they were stationed at Cordova, AK where her first son was born. They then moved to Caribou, ME where their family grew to seven children. In 1963 they relocated to the Portland, ME area where another four children were born. They raised their family in South Portland where they remained active members of the Holy Cross community for many years. In 1983, her husband Tom passed away at the age of 53. Connie married Raymond D. Gauvin in 1997 at St. Josephs Church, welcoming Rays nine children and their families into her loving heart. They resided in Windham, ME for 16 years until recently moving back to Portland to be closer to her children. She spent a lifetime devoted to her faith, family and friends. Her natural warmth was a blessing to all those who knew her. As a Mom, she loved her large family, enjoying and attending as many of their activities as possible. With her cheerful spirit and quiet humility, she graciously volunteered and gave back to those in need, always content to remain behind the scene. She rediscovered her love for tap dancing in her late sixties. Among her passions were sewing, knitting, cooking, Sudoku, puzzle making and appreciating the simple pleasures in life. Connies no-nonsense attitude, her kind, loving, and joyful spirit will be greatly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Connie is survived by her husband Raymond of Portland; eight daughters and three sons, Patrick Jennings and wife Suzanne of Daniel Island, SC, Joan Jones and husband Christian of Hamilton, NJ, Carol Jennings and husband Mark Schussler of South Portland, Eileen Jennings and husband Anthony Garton of Falmouth, Thomas Jennings and wife Nancy of Mission Viejo, CA, Diane Lourie and husband Mark of Portland, Donna Jennings and husband Troy Gerton of Manchester, NH, Colleen DiPierro and husband Charles of South Portland and Collette Wain and husband John C. Wain, M.D. of Milton, MA, Mary Anne McCaffery and husband Robert of So. Walpole, MA, Shawn Jennings and wife Karen of South Portland; nine step-children, Mary Gallar and husband Peter of Tampa, FL, Royal Gauvin and wife Theresa of Windham, Ryan Gauvin and wife Carol of Austin, TX, Russell Gauvin and wife Janet of Portland, Karen DeCarolis and husband Richard DeCarolis, O.D. of Bethel, Robin Gauvin and wife Theresa of Cumberland, Ronald Gauvin and wife Katherine of Libertyville, IL, Joan Hughes and husband Dan of Lake Alfred, FL, Jean Picard and husband David Picard, M.D. of Concord, NH; a sister, Dorothy Moran of East Greenwich, RI; 23 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 15 step-grandchildren, and 8 step-great-grandchildren. Connies amazing loving endurance at end of life was inspiring to many, and her legacy will be carried onward. The entire family would like to thank Gosnell Memorial Hospice House and its staff for the unending encouragement, support, care and hospitality. Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 10:15am followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Connies memory may be made to: Maine Right to Life, PO Box 257, Auburn, Maine 04212.