Constance Lee Carmean Peterson, known to all as Connie, wife of the late Richard C. Peterson of Seaford, passed away July 23, 2020 at Loftland Park Center.
Connie was born in Millsboro on Jan. 3, 1937 to the late Oscar James Carmean and Helen Donaway Carmean. Connie graduated from Laurel High School where she was proud to be a Bulldog! She remained an active member of the Laurel Alumni Association and kept in close contact with many of her 1954 classmates, especially her life-long friend, Sug Whaley.
Connie graduated from nursing school in 1957, served 48 years as a Registered Nurse, mostly in geriatrics, retiring from Genesis Seaford Center. She always put the care of others before herself, be it her patients or her family.
For as many years as her hands allowed, Connie enjoyed counted cross stitch and knitting. Bingo was also a favorite pastime. She enjoyed dancing in her day and would reminisce about doing the jitterbug. Connie loved listening to music and attending concerts, with Huey Lewis being her all-time favorite, still carrying the most recent ticket stub in her wallet from 2016. In years of late, you could find her in her “puzzle room” pondering the pieces of a beautiful jigsaw, reading a book she just couldn’t put down, completing a word search/crossword puzzle, or gazing outside from her picture window keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood. Flowers of any kind put a smile on her face, especially lilies. She cherished cards and mementos from friends and family. Rest assured, if you sent her something in the past, she still had the card!
Connie fought hard to remain independent, despite her physical limitations, until just recently. Her resilience is to be admired. Connie will be fondly remembered as a devoted and loving mom, nana, sister, aunt, friend, and nurse.
She is survived by a son, Blair Macklin (Cheryl) of Laurel, grandchildren Nicole Macklin and Robbie Macklin, great-grandchildren Joshua Hodge, Rylee Farris, Cole and Landen Macklin, step-grandchildren Tammy Bragdon and Steve Flood (Bethany), step-great-grandchildren Kylie and Jenna Meadows, Hunter Rogers, Chase and Logan Flood; a daughter, Becky Peterson of Seaford, step-grandchild Corey Ferrell II, step-great-grandchildren Cyenna Broomer and Corey Ferrell III; a step-daughter, Barbara Peterson of Seaford, with whom she had a special bond and always introduced as her “daughter”; a step-daughter, Brenda Crossman (Jack) of Seaford, step-grandchildren Adrienne Ramey (Glenn) and J.D. Crossman, step-great-grandchildren Evelyn and Jack Crossman; a beloved sister, Elaine Davis (Lee) of Chincoteague, VA, and two endearing brothers, Jay Carmean (Carolyn) of Selbyville and Greg Carmean (Leah) of Ruskin, FL. She is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, close friends, and her grouchy cat, Mya, whom only she could love.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 at Cranston Funeral Home, Shipley Street, Seaford, with visitation at 6 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the Laurel Alumni Scholarship Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 382, Laurel, DE 19956.