Constance E. Neilsen

Born in North Springfield, Vermont on September 2, 1935, Constance Ellen Snell was the first of five children born to Eva Fuller Snell and George Chase Snell, Sr. She attended Springfield High School and in her mid-teens worked as a candy striper at Springfield Hospital.

She married James Christian Neilsen, Ill on January 2, 1953. Connie and Brud moved with their six children to Claremont in the summer of 1964. They also opened their hearts and home providing foster care to a number of children.

Without a doubt, Connie's true calling came through her love for children. In addition to a house full of kids, she also taught both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Having worked at the Claremont Head Start, and with the coaxing of family friends, Jack Leonard and Judy Parkinson, she completed her GED, obtained her childcare license, and opened the Claremont Day Care Center in the mid-1970's. It was there that she became known as "Grammie Connie" to hundreds of Claremont's pre-school children.  After the death of her husband, she moved to Concord in 1983. Operating as Tiny Tots Fun Spot, she and her daughter, Nancy, continued providing childcare in her home until her retirement in 2015, just before her 80^th birthday. Until arthritis made it too painful, Grammie Connie enjoyed knitting little afghans perfect for bundling a newborn grandchild, and just the right size for a stroller or car seat.

Whether she was called Mom, Gram, Grammie Connie or Macie, her love of family was second only to her love for God. To the very end, Connie remained steadfast in her faith every minute of every day, never waivering. When any of her children seemed to be struggling or appeared to have strayed from their Christian upbringing, Connie would not hesitate to include a message in their birthday or Christmas card giving a gentle reminder of her heartfelt concern for their eternal life and always offering her unconditional love and support.

Connie is survived by her children: James Christian Neilsen, IV and his wife, Anita, Bruce Allen Neilsen and his wife, Peggy, Barbara Paronto and her husband, Skip, Nancy Young, Marilyn Colby and her husband, Roger, and son-in-law, Michael Paulette, husband of her late daughter, Darlene

Grammie Connie is also survived by her grandchildren: Jimmie (Kate) Neilsen, Richard (Melissa) Neilsen, William (Amanda) Neilsen, Aaron Neilsen, Andrew Neilsen, Sarah Neilsen, Kristel Davis, Kimberly (Damien) Deline, John Paulette, Amy Paulette (Geoff Joyce), Jessica (Matthew) Adams, Mark Colby (Rhianna Larkin), Roger Lee Colby, Ill, Sean (Cheri) Colby, Scott Colby (Hannah Lillie), and Tabitha (Aaron) Schmidt

by her great grandchildren: Jackson David Neilsen, Emmalyn Hope Neilsen, Raelyn Marci Neilsen, Maddelyn Grace Neilsen, Amity Louise Neilsen, Theodore Anthony Neilsen, Ezekiel Maynard Neilsen, Hailey Darlene Davis, Tyler James Davis, Curtis Deline, Natalie (Loren) Howard, Marlee Mei Paulette, Addison Esther Allard, Mmeilya Rae Allard, Madison Mae Adams, Brayden Thomas Adams, Cameron Sullivan, Cassie Sullivan Caiden Colby, Olivia Simone Colby, Arianna Colby, Weslee Jace Hutcheson, Joslyn Skye Hutcheson, Dessa Pelletier Finnegan Colby-Lillie Esme Colby-Lillie