Our hearts are broken but know she’s in the arms of Jesus who she loved with all her heart. She was born August 31,1935 to Alice B. Dyer and Santino J. Viola.Growing up in Portland she graduated in 1954 from Portland High School and later went on to be the bookkeeper for the family business Viola Demolition & Excavating. Connie reacquainted with her high school friend Charles Farrin, they married in 1957 and lived in Portland and Ft. Devens, MA where Charlie was stationed. Connie continued to work for her dad while Charlie’s career in the US Army took him away on many tours.
Connie is survived by her daughter and best friend Deb (Farrin) Kidder and her husband Rolland Kidder.
Her daughter in-law Stacy Viola, granddaughter Olivia Viola and great grandson Matthew Viola. Grandson Brandon Harkins and his wife Katrina. Great grandchildren Sophia, Amelia and Easton Harkins. Many cousins, nieces and nephews along with the entire Kidder families who were a huge part of her life and she loved so very much. She was especially close to Adam and Nicole Kidder and great grandsons Trenton and Gabe. She also loved her visits from her cousins Donna, Helen, Rose, Katie and Scott and the Lebanese goodies they would bring.
Connie is predeceased by her husband Charles Farrin, her son Steven Viola, parents Alice Dyer and Santino Viola and grandson Dillon St. Pierre. Also her longtime friend and companion Allen Glazier.
Connie was always fun to be around with her contagious smile and positive attitude. She battled many illnesses including Lupus but she never complained, her faith was unwavering. In earlier years everyone would gather at the house where she always made you feel welcome and loved. She loved spending time with her daughter Deb who was her whole world. She loved her relationship with God, her loving family, friends and pets. She always had plenty of food from her Italian/Lebanese heritage with lots of laughter to go with it, making sure you knew how special it was to have your company.
She would do anything for anyone and sacrificed her own needs to make sure you were happy. Connie knew her way around the kitchen and cooked with her daughter Deb in their first family venture People’s Pub in Portland. They later bought a building in Portland and turned it into a billiard parlor FAT’s Forest Avenue Tavern. Connie had space there to open her own shop called Touch Of Glass where she displayed her passion in stained glass.
She was very talented and did many custom orders including windows, clocks, lamps and so much more. You could see her there with her standard poodles who she loved and adored. Connie was always an animal lover and would knit blankets for the Animal Refuge League. She would drop off 30-40 blankets each time, she wanted to make sure each one had their own blanket to snuggle up with.
Connie was so proud of the accomplishments in her children. Steve had his own business, Viola Ventures in Portland and Deb opened her own restaurant, Deb’s Sebago Diner in Raymond. She continued to help in the kitchen and would make the homemade bread pudding and apple crisp which everybody loved. Her Pasta fagioli soup was always a favorite.
In 2019 Connie and Allen, her companion of 13 years moved in with her daughter Deb and son in-law Rolland. They lived in Limington after returning home from Florida where Connie frequently visited and lived for for a short time.
Connie loved life and had a strong faith, she would read her Bible daily and loved her lord and savior Jesus Christ. She is a true testament of how that faith can keep you strong, not only
in life but in facing death. Through all her years of medical issues and illnesses she never lost faith and always had hope.
Deb & Rolland want to thank Beth, Erin, Lizzy, David and all the staff and nurses at Hospice of Southern Maine. Their support, caring and comfort has been such a blessing. They are all truly Angels on earth and we are so appreciative of their love for Connie.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in moms name to the Westbrook Animal Refuge League, Foundation4Love (Local Cancer Center) or The Lupus Foundation.
