Constance L. Roth

Born May 10, 1924, in Toledo, Ohio to Robert and Louise Eastin, she moved to Muncie during the Great Depression. A neighbor, Morton “Bud” Roth, who caught her eye walking to middle school, would become her husband for sixty-nine years. At Burris High School she formed friendships that would provide the groundwork for a long and enriched life. The relationships among these friends and their families were remarkably durable and loyal and became an important focus in her personal and working life, giving it purpose, opportunity, and frequent laughter.

She earned an RN degree from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in 1945. The following year, she married Bud when he returned from WWII. He attended optometric school in Chicago, where she was the school nurse. Returning to Muncie, she was a private duty nurse until becoming a mother and homemaker. She was a supporter of local arts and service organizations like Altrusa and championed women’s rights through volunteer work with the YWCA, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood.

As her children grew older, she channeled her energy and artistic talents into professional home decorating. She worked in local furniture stores and took interior design courses at Ball State, eventually creating her own interior design business. Using her relationships, talent for listening, and sense of style, she built a positive reputation among her clients and left a legacy of beautiful interior spaces in many homes and businesses in Muncie.

She lived the last eighteen months of her life in assisted living at Westminster Village. Here she was able to keep much of her independence, dignity, and comfort with loving and loyal support from longtime friend Mary Louise Neff, caregiver Charlene Brannon, the nursing staff, and the Heart-to-Heart hospice team.

She was preceded in death by parents Robert and Louise, husband Dr. Morton Roth, sister Virginia Shaw, granddaughter Jessica Miller, niece Betsy Shaw, and sister-in-law Shirley Cohen.

She is survived by daughter Kristine Trovatore (Steve), Granger, Indiana and son Craig Roth (Carolyn Bowles), Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren Trey Miller (Kari Karch), Amanda Miller, Matthew Bowles-Roth, Caitlin Bowles-Roth (Tommy Dixon), six great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, nieces Amy Arledge, Jill Cohen, Bob Cohen, Shelly Keenan, Susan Weist (Roy), Dianne Shaw Lopes (Gene), and sister-in-law Marilyn Eubanks.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Elm Ridge Funeral Home. A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Entombment will be in Elm Ridge Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at elmridgefuneralhome.com for the family.