Constance Christine “Connie” Converse, 81, of Athens, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 under the care of her loving family, special nieces and Oaklawn Hospice.
A celebration of Connie’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City with Mr. David J. Farrell of Colon officiating. Private interment will be at Burr Oak Cemetery in Athens. Visitation will be from 4-6 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Lighthouse in Union City.
Connie was born on March 8, 1938 in Detroit, MI to Stanley and Sophia (Wotta) Polczynski. The family moved to Bronson when she was 13 and Connie graduated from Bronson High School in 1956. On August 10, 1957 she was united with Aurice A. Converse in a double wedding ceremony in which her twin sister, Caroline Cline, married Ivan Cline. It was one of the many life events the sisters shared over the years.
The Converses made their home in Athens, where they raised their four children. Family was important to Connie. She attended all her children’s and grandchildren’s school and extracurricular activities and cheered on the Athens Indians in whatever sport they were competing. She enjoyed dining with friends at the Copper Kettle in Athens and keeping up on all the community happenings.
Connie drove bus for Athens Area Schools, where she was a member of the Athletic Boosters. She was an avid card player who played bridge for 60 years. She also enjoyed going to the theater, especially at Turkeyville and the Quonset Hut. Connie was a member of the Athens Community Association, the “Classy Lassies” chapter of the Red Hat Society, the Athens Area Historical Society and a lifetime member of the Athens VFW Post #5319 Auxiliary.
Left to cherish Connie’s memory are her children, Christine (Bruce) Hamilton, Paul (Dawn) Converse, Bryan (Brenda Peston) Converse and Kevin (Wendy) Converse, all of Athens; her grandchildren, Chassity (Joshua) Dickert, Brayden Converse, Tyler (Marie) Hamilton, Seth (Kristen) Converse, Kaitlyn Converse and Aaron Converse; a special son, Eddy Van Beek of the Netherlands; step-grandchildren, Brian (Jennifer) Petch and Lacey Radabaugh; 10 great-grandchildren; and her twin sister, Caroline Catherine Cline of Athens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Aurice (2006); her siblings, Helen Buda, Edward Polczynski and Bernice Lisowicz; a grandson, Soldier; and her lifelong friend, Wanda Willi.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Athens Area Community Foundation or Oaklawn Hospice.
