Obituary of Constance Mary Szafranski

Constance Mary Szafranski Constance, known to her many friends as Connie, passed away in Tucson, AZ, on April 30, 2014, at age 76 after a long struggle with complications of Alzheimer's disease. Connie was born on May 13, 1937, in Virginia, MN, to Joseph and Ursula Faith. An only child, she grew up in Aurora, MN, and graduated as valedictorian of the Aurora High School class of 1955. After high school, she attended the Minneapolis School of Business and earned a graduate certificate in Secretarial Administration. In 1956 she married her high school love, John Szafranski, and worked as a private secretary while John attended the University. In 1958 they moved to Hamilton, OH, where Connie focused on being a full-time homemaker and mother to her two young children. In 1963 the family moved to St. Anthony Village, MN, where Connie became active in community affairs including being a Girl Scout leader, President of the local League of Women Voters, and an active member of the Jaycee Women. When the family moved to Brookfield, WI, in 1972, she became active in the local AAU swimming organization and the High School Band Boosters Club. A year later they moved to Bloomington, MN, where she quickly became involved with the Jefferson High School swim team boosters group and Newcomers. After working in the travel business for several years, she obtained her residential real estate license and became a very successful RE salesperson, a position she loved for the opportunity to meet and serve people---a number of whom became lifelong friends. In 1996, when her husband retired, they moved to Tucson, AZ, where she developed many friends and truly enjoyed the snow-free, warmer environment. Through the years Connie enjoyed her many friends, world-wide travel, flower gardening, sewing, classical music and opera, skiing, the game of bridge (at which she was very proficient), gourmet cooking, and spending time at the family lake cabin in northern MN. Connie was a very intelligent, sweet, caring lady---a devoted daughter, mother, wife and friend who will be sorely missed by many---but especially by her husband of 58 years, John; son, David and his wife, Trish; and daughter, Faith, who survive her. The family wish to thank the nurses of Soreo Hospice for their kindness and extra care the past five months, Dr. Stephanie Bravo for her personal attention and house calls, and especially all the wonderful caregivers at Mountain Shadows Adult Care Home, who provided tender, loving care for Connie in her last year. A Celebration of Connie's Life will be held on her birth date, May 13, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest, 1028 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006-2622. Arrangements entrusted to ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, www.adairfuneralhomes.com.