Constance "Connie" Koeniger

Constance Koeniger died peacefully on February 8, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born Constance Carol Abbott in 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, Constance grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.  After graduating from Skidmore College in 1946, she worked as a copy editor for an advertising agency on Park Avenue in New York City.

Constance met the love of her life, Edward Russell Koeniger, on a blind date on a snowy evening in December, 1947, traveling between holiday parties in a rumble seat. Ten months later, “Connie and Bud,” as they were known, began their married life together in their new home in Middletown, New Jersey, raising their four children.

Over the course of their 62 years of marriage, Connie and Bud made their homes in New Jersey, Colorado and Toronto, finally retiring to Rhode Island in 1983. Throughout the years, Connie was an active member and past president of the East Greenwich Garden Club and spent many years serving on the Altar Guild of St. Luke’s Church in East Greenwich. During this time, Connie and Bud owned and operated the 1873 House, a bed and breakfast on Pierce Street.  

Among Connie’s favorite activities were reading mysteries, knitting blankets and sweaters for family, playing bridge, watching golf and horse racing and spending time with friends. But her most cherished moments were spent with her large, adoring family, especially her ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Connie was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was predeceased by her husband, Bud, her son, Edward Russell III (Debbie) of Littleton, Colorado, her parents, Charles and Ednah Abbott, her sister, Anne Herdic and her brother, Charles Abbott.

She is survived by her children Carol Batchelder (David) of Narragansett, Rhode Island, Charles Koeniger (Rebecca) of Winchester, Massachusetts and Philip Koeniger (Sarah) of Simsbury, Connecticut; grandchildren Nathan, Ryan and Kevin Koeniger, Jessie and Michael Batchelder, Brendan, Paul and Nicholas Koeniger and Sally and Emma Koeniger; great-grandchildren Lauren, Luke, Teddy, Maiah and Vivian Koeniger, Willis, May and Clyde Guard-Batchelder, Lilly and Hardy Koeniger.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 3, 2018, at St. Luke’s Church in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Church, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818 or Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904.

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