Constance Bonin Haeberle Obituary (1924 - 2017)

Kittery - Constance Bonin Haeberle, 93, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at York Hospital, Maine. Constance was born on March 18, 1924, to Rodolphe and Bertha Venne Bonin. She was raised in West Roxbury, MA and educated at the Girls' Latin School of Boston where she graduated in 1941. She completed studies at Boston Clerical School in 1944 and worked as an executive secretary at Baystate Milling Company for ten years. Later in life, she worked as a school aide while raising children and then as a medical secretary for many years. Endowed with a gift for music, she studied voice at The New England Conservatory of Music from a young age. She sang publicly throughout her life in church choirs, community theatre and choral groups, often as a soloist. Her annual Midnight Mass solo of "O Holy Night" was the highlight of many family Christmases. She met the love of her life, Robert Wells Haeberle, on a blind date held at an MIT Military Ball in 1943. They were married May 24, 1952, at Holy Name Church in West Roxbury, MA. Together they raised four children in Framingham and Acton, MA before retiring to Cape Elizabeth, ME in 1988. She was a choir member and cantor at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Acton, MA for 28 years and at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Cape Elizabeth well into her eighties. After her beloved husband's passing in September 1995, Constance increased her volunteer work at St. Bartholomew Church and the Library in Cape Elizabeth. She enjoyed bowling, long daily walks, and hours upon hours of reading. Her Faith sustained her throughout her life. Her husband, children and their families were her greatest joy. Constance is survived by her four children, Robert Haeberle, Jr of Wiscasset, ME, JoAnn Haeberle of Portland, ME, Karen Haeberle of East Longmeadow, MA, Lisa Haeberle Corsi of Kittery, ME, and their families. She leaves seven beloved grandchildren; a cherished great granddaughter; her sister, Joline Nicholson of Clinton, MA; her sister-in-law, Ann Haeberle Rees of Ogden, UT, as well as many nieces and nephews. Prayers will be recited at 10:15AM, on Monday, December 11, 2017, at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM at St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth. Memorial contributions may be made in Constance's memory to St. Bartholomew's Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107