Constance M. Brauer, 91, formerly of Plymouth Reservoir, and more recently of Bethpage, NY, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at White Oaks Nursing Home in Woodbury, NY.
Born May 29, 1925, in Queens, NY, Constance was the daughter of Constantino and Carmela (Giardello) Zuzzolo. On September 4, 1948, in Queens, she married the love of her life, Thomas W. Brauer, Jr. They enjoyed 43 years together before Thomas’ death on June 30, 1984. After many of years of helping to raise her children, Constance began work in 1969 as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, and worked for the USPS until her retirement in 1985.
One of her family’s most treasured past-times was spending time at their lakefront property on Plymouth Reservoir, which they purchased in 1977. Many special memories with family and friends were made at their lake house during her 39 years there.
Constance was a very independent and strong-willed lady, and was as smart as she was feisty. She also enjoyed cooking and gardening. But her greatest passion was her oil painting.
Constance was also a devoted mother, and loved each of her children dearly. Surviving her is her daughter, Connie Miata and her husband, Guy, of Lido Beach, NY, son, Thomas Brauer III and his wife, Joan, of Norwich, and daughter, Jody Zapata and her husband, Victor, of Bethpage, NY; grandchildren, Christopher Yarmy and his wife, Liz, Thomas Brauer IV, Daniel Brauer, Melissa Mundy and her husband, William, Kurt Brauer and his fiancée, Alyssa Walbreht, Zachary Zapata, and Jillian Zapata; and great-grandchildren, Hunter and Bryce Yarmy, and Axel Mundy. She is also survived by her sister, Josephine Pylinski, and brother-in-law, William (“Babe”) Iarrobino. In addition to her husband and parents, Constance was predeceased by her sisters, Jean Iarrobino and Christine Zuzzolo.
The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to others who helped care for their mother in her final years, especially her Plymouth Reservoir neighbors Paul and Liz Simack, Karen Mundy, and Steve and Sarah Oddi.
Funeral services for Constance will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the Wilson Funeral Home, Norwich, NY, where the Rev. Ralph A. Bove, pastor, St. Bartholomew’s Church, will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Constance may be made to the Plymouth Reservoir Property Owners Association.
To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.