Constance Carroll

Constance Marie Carroll, pianist, 73, of Naugatuck, CT died on Saturday July 7, 2018 in Naugatuck following a three year battle with cancer. Born in Hartford on May 6, 1945 to Joseph D. Carroll and Elizabeth (Tracy) Carroll of Newington, Constance was predeceased by her parents and her brother Joseph D. Carroll, Jr. She is survived by her son Jackson Blossom of Sleepy Hollow, NY (wife Barbara), her brother Patrick of Niantic, her sister Ann of Newington, and her niece Lisa-Anne Ciarcia (husband Paul, and children Hannah and Michael) of Kensington. After graduating magna cum laude from Hartt College of Music, Constance earned a M.M. degree from Manhattan School of Music in accompanying, and undertook doctoral studies in piano at Indiana University. She coached and accompanied opera singers for Amato Opera Theatre in NY, Long Island Opera Company, and at Indiana University. Having performed numerous solo and chamber recitals in New York, Connecticut, Washington DC, and Indiana, she lived for several years in Europe, serving as house accompanist for ballet, opera and theater companies in Lubeck, Luzern, Graz, and Basel. In addition to her solo piano and accompanying career, and years of service as an organist and choral director at churches in New York and Connecticut, Constance will be remembered as a dynamic music educator for all ages. She taught at public schools and privately throughout the region. She had an uncanny ability to connect with children and inspire their love for music. Her last student recital was conducted by students in her absence on May 5 in Naugatuck, as she was hospitalized from surgery. Always in search of the perfect instrument, myriad piano technicians will never forget her. A non-denominational memorial service with music will be held on Saturday August 11 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 802 Bantam Road, Bantam, CT 06750, at 1 PM. Constance served as St. Paul's organist and music director until the end of May. She had beloved aunts - Sr. Ann Cletus and Sr. Constance Marie - who were nuns of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Hartford, an order which assisted her throughout her musical career. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either: Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Mission Advancement, 650 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111, or the non-profit KEYS which provides music instruction to underprivileged children in Bridgeport, CT (www.keysmusic.org).