Constance Avant WILSON

1937 - 2024

WILSON, Constance "Connie" Avant THE WONDERFUL LIFE OF MRS. CONSTANCE AVANT WILSON

Connie passed away at her home on March 3, 2024, in Clifton, NJ. She was 86 years old. Since the summer of 2023, Connie had waged a courageous fight against lung cancer. The announcement was made by her loving husband, Dr. Laval Steele Wilson. On February 23, Connie and Laval had been married 61 years.

Connie was born on December 10, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the oldest of six children of Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Evelyn Avant. Mrs. Wilson was also predeceased by her grandson, Michael-Ray Richer; and brothers, Ralph and Arnold Avant. Besides her husband, Connie is survived by her four children, Laval Miller-Wilson, Esq., Mrs. Holly Wilson Moniz, Mr. Shawn De Soto Wilson and Mrs. Nicole Wilson Richer. Mrs. Wilson and her husband have eleven dynamic grandchildren, Elijah and Benjamin Miller-Wilson, Mrs. Francesca Moniz Perez, Christian, Roman, Grayson, Jade and Alexander Moniz, Sophie Wilson, Sophia-Ray and Ella-Ray Richer. Also surviving Mrs. Wilson are daughter-in law, Cathryn Miller–Wilson, Esq.; sons-in-law, Henry Moniz, Esq. and Mr. Stephen Richer.

In addition, Mrs. Wilson is survived by her brother, Mr. Arthur Avant, Jr., his wife, Blanca; and sisters, Mrs. Jo Ann Avant Garrett and Ms. Angela Avant. Mrs. Wilson is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, friends and former colleagues.

Connie received her elementary and high school education in Chicago. She graduated from Chicago Teachers College with a B.Ed. in 1959 and she later undertook graduate studies in education at the University of Chicago. Connie also was awarded an MA in education from NJ's Caldwell College in 1995.

During her Chicago college days, Connie was an active member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

After college, Connie started her 25-year teaching career in the Chicago elementary schools, where she taught for seven years. While the Wilson family lived in Boston, Connie had the opportunity to do some teaching of academically needy freshmen college students at Northeastern University and Roxbury Community College during the late 1980s.

In addition, in Boston, Connie served as the Acting Director of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority during part of 1991. She then served as an Operations Analysis for the MBTA during 1992 and 1993.

As an active adult, Mrs. Wilson enjoyed camping, sailing, skiing and playing tennis with her family and friends. She enjoyed listening to musicians play in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Rochester and New Orleans.

Because Connie's husband was an urban superintendent of schools, the family lived in a number of communities. She was always engaged in a myriad of service projects in cities across the country. In Berkeley, she wrote a newsletter to assist in fund raising for the Berkeley Y-House. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the University YWCA.

In Rochester, Mrs. Wilson was on the Board of Directors of the Hochstein Music School. In Boston, Connie served on the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Also, in Boston, she participated in volunteer work at the Highter Education Information Center, as well as volunteering at the Ellis Elementary School.

After completing her Master's, Mrs. Wilson started her second career in elementary school teaching. In 1996, Connie became a Basic Skills Teacher for 18 years at the #9 School in Passaic, NJ.

From all who knew you Connie, FAREWELL and REST in PEACE!!!

A Memorial Service will be held for Mrs. Wilson on Saturday, March 16, at Marsh Chapel on the campus of Boston University. The viewing will be at 9:00 AM, followed at 10:00 AM, by an Ecumenical Service and a Catholic Funeral. The Burial will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery. Contributions in Connie's memory can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.