Constance Nista Avon, Connecticut Obituary

Constance Nista

Constance Victoria Nista of Avon, CT, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 97 on May14,2022 at the Residence of Brookside, Avon. She was born Nov.11,1924 in Manhattan, New York to the late William & Katherine Reysen, immigrants of Germany and Hungary. She is pre-deceased by her husband Richard Eugene Nista of Avon and her younger sister Dorothy Eleanor Burke of Parma, Ohio; and is survived by her daughter, Celine B. Nista of Pittsburgh, PA; as well as many nieces & nephews. Constance and her younger sister were both raised by their parents in the Bronx. As a young child, she was very sickly. She survived several bouts of pneumonia, scarlet fever, and underwent two major back surgeries, which ultimately gave her the strength to live a long life. She attended St. Brendan’s Elementary Catholic school, then transferred to Public High School #45 where she graduated with honors. At 16 years of age she met her husband-to-be, Richard Eugene Nista in a local ice cream parlor. Ice cream, dark chocolate, and Richard soon became among the loves of her life. After graduating high school, Constance had high aspirations of going to college to become an English teacher; however, the WWII effort interrupted those plans and she instead went to work at Farrand Optical in the Bronx from1942-1953, performing a variety of secretarial duties. Constance also became a custom dressmaker, following in the footsteps of her mother. She was a gifted singer and enjoyed participating in her high school and church choirs. She liked cooking and baking, often creating and sharing many of her own recipes. She remained a devout Catholic her entire life and was an active parishioner of St. Ann’s church in Avon. In April 1949 she married Richard & they spent the next 69 years completely devoted to one another. In 1952 they purchased their first home in Ardsley, N.Y. Then in Feb.1954 they celebrated the birth of their only child, Celine Bernadette Nista. In 1960, Richard’s job relocated to Windsor Locks, CT. He orchestrated the construction of their second and final home in Avon, where they eventually moved to later that same year. Constance remained a stay-at-home Mom until her daughter was in her late teens; at which point she became an Avon Cosmetics Representative. She blossomed in that role, canvasing the entire Farmington Valley region door-to-door, always with a friendly smile, effervescent attitude, & dressed to a T. She worked diligently in that capacity for over two decades, making countless friends with whom she kept in close contact with for all her remaining years. Constance moved to the Residence of Brookside in 2017, where she continued making more friends. She had an incredible memory for everyone’s birthday, anniversary, and special moments in life. She loved to write hand-written letters and send greeting cards. She enjoyed reading, the performing arts and many different genres of music. In particular, she shared a special bond with her daughter for the music of the Carlos Santana band. When she was in her late 70’s, her daughter treated her to a Santana concert at an outdoor venue, which she loved. She also followed major league baseball and was fascinated with the astrological signs of the zodiac. She was always upbeat and positive; always encouraged and never discouraged. She practiced a healthy lifestyle all her life. Her motto was “everything in moderation.” In short, she was an incredibly compassionate woman and lover of life. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Visitation for family and friends to honor Constance will be held at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 5-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 10 am at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road, Avon, followed by burial at St. Ann’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to any of the following organizations that she supported: • Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation: www.fidelco.org • Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org • American Lung Association: www.action.lung.org For directions or to leave condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
November 11, 1924 - May 14, 202211/11/192405/14/2022
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Obituary

Constance Victoria Nista of Avon, CT, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 97 on May14,2022 at the Residence of Brookside, Avon. She was born Nov.11,1924 in Manhattan, New York to the late William & Katherine Reysen, immigrants of Germany and Hungary. She is pre-deceased by her husband Richard Eugene Nista of Avon and her younger sister Dorothy Eleanor Burke of Parma, Ohio; and is survived by her daughter, Celine B. Nista of Pittsburgh, PA; as well as many nieces & nephews. Constance and her younger sister were both raised by their parents in the Bronx. As a young child, she was very sickly. She survived several bouts of pneumonia, scarlet fever, and underwent two major back surgeries, which ultimately gave her the strength to live a long life. She attended St. Brendan’s Elementary Catholic school, then transferred to Public High School #45 where she graduated with honors. At 16 years of age she met her husband-to-be, Richard Eugene Nista in a local ice cream parlor. Ice cream, dark chocolate, and Richard soon became among the loves of her life. After graduating high school, Constance had high aspirations of going to college to become an English teacher; however, the WWII effort interrupted those plans and she instead went to work at Farrand Optical in the Bronx from1942-1953, performing a variety of secretarial duties. Constance also became a custom dressmaker, following in the footsteps of her mother. She was a gifted singer and enjoyed participating in her high school and church choirs. She liked cooking and baking, often creating and sharing many of her own recipes. She remained a devout Catholic her entire life and was an active parishioner of St. Ann’s church in Avon. In April 1949 she married Richard & they spent the next 69 years completely devoted to one another. In 1952 they purchased their first home in Ardsley, N.Y. Then in Feb.1954 they celebrated the birth of their only child, Celine Bernadette Nista. In 1960, Richard’s job relocated to Windsor Locks, CT. He orchestrated the construction of their second and final home in Avon, where they eventually moved to later that same year. Constance remained a stay-at-home Mom until her daughter was in her late teens; at which point she became an Avon Cosmetics Representative. She blossomed in that role, canvasing the entire Farmington Valley region door-to-door, always with a friendly smile, effervescent attitude, & dressed to a T. She worked diligently in that capacity for over two decades, making countless friends with whom she kept in close contact with for all her remaining years. Constance moved to the Residence of Brookside in 2017, where she continued making more friends. She had an incredible memory for everyone’s birthday, anniversary, and special moments in life. She loved to write hand-written letters and send greeting cards. She enjoyed reading, the performing arts and many different genres of music. In particular, she shared a special bond with her daughter for the music of the Carlos Santana band. When she was in her late 70’s, her daughter treated her to a Santana concert at an outdoor venue, which she loved. She also followed major league baseball and was fascinated with the astrological signs of the zodiac. She was always upbeat and positive; always encouraged and never discouraged. She practiced a healthy lifestyle all her life. Her motto was “everything in moderation.” In short, she was an incredibly compassionate woman and lover of life. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Visitation for family and friends to honor Constance will be held at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 5-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 10 am at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road, Avon, followed by burial at St. Ann’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to any of the following organizations that she supported: • Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation: www.fidelco.org • Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org • American Lung Association: www.action.lung.org For directions or to leave condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

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Events

May
19
Visitation
Thursday, May 19 2022
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center
301 Country Club Rd.
Avon, CT 06001
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May
20
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, May 20 2022
10:00 AM
Church of Saint Ann
289 Arch Road
Avon, CT 06001
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Memorial Contributions

American Lung Association
45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
(860) 289-5401
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Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 96280, Washington DC
FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation
103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002
860-243-5200
Visit website