Connie DeFelice

Connie was born Constance Mangarella on February 9, 1942 in New York City to Joe and Nina Mangarella. Growing up in Brooklyn she loved visits to the amusement parks and ball games with her father, and in her teen years she loved dancing and going to the Alan Freed Rock and Roll shows at the Paramount with her girlfriends. At the age of 19 she wed Arthur De Felice, and on October 1, 1962 Connie gave birth to twins, John Douglas and Gregory Joseph. On March 22, 1970 her daughter Claudine Margaret was born. In 1972 the family relocated to Austin, Texas. While there was some transition dealing with Brooklyn-to-Texas culture shock, Connie quickly made Austin her one and only home – she was an Austinite through and through. Connie, who came to be known as Meme once her grandchildren were born, loved going to the movies, dining out with a good martini, HGTV and reading (most recently on her Kindle). She was always surrounded by her beloved close friends, with whom she loved, laughed and cried. But more than anything, she cherished time spent with her children and dear grandchildren. Meme never missed an opportunity to share time with them, whether it was Grandparent's Day in New York, sporting events, birthday parties or simply a family dinner. She was blessed with and surrounded by love, but it was a love grown from her own generosity, kindness, strength and most of all her selflessness. She is an inspiration to everyone touched by her love. If you were lucky enough to be in her circle, you never left it.

Connie is survived by sons John & Greg, daughter Claudine Vanek, daughters-in-law Stephanie and Alysa, son-in-law Brian, and grandchildren Alexandra, Cade, Reece and Taryn.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at St. Austin Catholic Church, 2026 Guadalupe Street, with Rev. Fr. Robert M. Cary officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Connie would like donations made to the CLL Global Research Foundation. http://www.cllglobal.org/