Constance F. Wilcox

1924 - 2015

Litchfield- Constance F. Wilcox, 91, died peacefully Friday, June 12, 2015, surrounded by family at Rose Haven in Litchfield. Constance was born in Torrington on June 8, 1924, daughter of the late Patrick J. and Mary (Kelley) Fitzgerald. She attended St. Francis of Assisi school and graduated from Torrington High School in 1942. Constance graduated from Trinity College with honors, majoring in Political Science, where she also was the captain of the tennis team. After graduating from college, she was admitted to Fordham Law School but chose to work at Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company, her father's company, where she worked in the accounting department. She was involved in many civic and charitable organizations, including outreach for World War II blinded servicemen, the Red Cross, the Goshen Players, and the Torrington Historical Association. She also volunteered for many years at White Memorial Conservation Center, in Litchfield. Most of all, she was a devoted and loving homemaker, mother, and grandmother. Constance lived a life of quiet elegance and deep devotion to her faith and family. She had a great love for conversation. She was uplifted by music and fueled by rich intellectual thoughts. She was well-read and had an extraordinarily active and curious mind. She had many passions including lifelong learning, The New York Time Crossword puzzles, antiques, art, Native American culture, history, genealogy, baseball, UCONN Basketball, gardening, travel, poetry, music, and nature. She was classically trained as a mezzo soprano and sang at many weddings and in theater and opera productions. Survivors include three daughters, Suzanne Bailey and her husband Mike Bailey, Sarah White and her husband Dr. Charles White, and Dr. Caroline Wilcox Ugurlu and her husband Dr. Mustafa Ugurlu, a son, William Wilcox and his wife Elizabeth Wilcox, nine grandchildren, Joseph and Grace Bailey, Matthew, Abigail, and Catherine Wilcox, Jade and Eliza White, AJ and Samantha Ugurlu, and many nieces and nephews. Constance was predeceased by siblings Eileen Wall, Agnes Fitzgerald, Frances Driscoll, Christine Droney, and Paul Fitzgerald. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Rose Haven for their kindness and extraordinary comparison during the final years of her life. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 9:00am from Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South St., Litchfield, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Burial will follow in New St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Tuesday, June 16 from 6:00 to 8:30pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the White Memorial Conservation Center, 71 Whitehall Rd., P.O. Box 368, Litchfield, CT 06759. To offer an online condolence please visit www.gleesonryanfuneralhome.com