Constance Johanna "Connie" Matthews

IN FOLLOWING CONNIE'S WISHES, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SHARING THIS MEMORIAL PAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA Constance "Connie" Johanna (Bracey) Matthews, 84, of Wallingford, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Hartford Hospital. She was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1940, the daughter of the late Helen (Harris) Bracey and John H. Bracey Sr. She was the widow of the late Allen Evon Matthews. Connie grew up on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, DC with her mother and brother who were also educators, so it was no surprise that Connie followed in their footsteps. She attended Oberlin College in Ohio where she earned her Bachelor's degree in English and attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio where she earned her Master's degree in Education. Connie was an English teacher at Oberlin Junior High School in Ohio (6 years), Franklin Junior High School in Ohio (11 years), Amherst Regional High School in Massachusetts (11 years) and Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT (27 years). At Choate, she was also the Director of Multicultural Affairs, created CALSA (Choate Afro-Latina Student Alliance), and directed the Icahn Scholars Program among many influential achievements. She will be missed by her daughters, Melinda Posipanko and Patricia Matthews, grandsons, Vaughn Johnson, Jr, Kwesi Posipanko, and Genesis Grady, granddaughter, Ayanna Posipanko, two great-grandchildren, and her partner of 35 years, Dr. Ronald Byrd. Connie's passion for taking care of everyone around her - family, friends and new acquaintances - is irreplaceable. She had a beautiful smile, a sassy wit, a sharp tongue (the swear jar is full), and a soft authoritative voice. She knitted scarves to keep hospitalized children and local homeless people warm. Connie found great joy in using her phone to navigate long drives on back-roads with a destination that led to a walk by the water. The family will receive relatives and friends in person and virtually on Sunday, March 16th at Connie's home. The family will celebrate Connie's life when the weather is warmer and we can gather in a place she would love. Please provide your contact information here to receive additional details. Gifts in Connie's memory may be sent to The United Negro College Fund or the New Haven Homeless Shelter: Columbus House Operations. IN FOLLOWING CONNIE'S WISHES, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SHARING THIS MEMORIAL PAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Constance, please visit our floral store.