Constance Justine Craig

Constance was generous with her friendship, devoted to her family and her cats and passionate about her work, making textbooks with illustrations for the visually impaired. She was a remarkable person with an intensive mind. She had so many good ideas, and she was always figuring out ways to do things. Her great sense of humour took her through many challenges and made her excellent company.

She attended high school at Jarvis Collegiate where she sang classical music as an alto in the choir for five years. She graduated in Geography from the University of Guelph and in Cartography from Seneca College in Toronto.

She started her career in mapping and then transferred her skill set to a position created for her at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. There she formed the Tactile Department and created an incredible collection of 3,000 titles. During her 25 years at CNIB, she also attended domestic and international conferences, such as the one in the Serene Republic of San Marino.

Following her time at the CNIB, Constance cared and advocated for her friend, Elsa, a senior in her building who passed away in 2017.

Lately, Constance enjoyed watching series such as The Good Doctor, This Is Us and The Crown and discussing them with her friends. She also followed tennis matches and political debates to share them with her mother, Janet, to whom her devotion was unparalleled.

Constance was a daily loving presence in Janet’s life, connected across three time zones by telephone, and by several extended in-person visits each year. On the occasions when she drove the width of Canada to Victoria rather than flying, she would bring along her beloved cats Cosmo and Asta, giving Janet some most welcome “visiting kitties”. During those treasured visits, Constance would cook vast quantities of Janet’s favorite recipes, filling Janet’s freezer with carefully packaged single-meal portions, a lasting gift and anchor to the family’s traditions. Beyond all of this, Constance was a highly engaged – sometimes fierce -- patient advocate for Janet in every aspect of her medical and daily care, a reminder to us all that this is the greatest gift anyone can give a vulnerable person.

We miss Constance’s sense of humour, mischief and adventure. We will never forget her wonderful homemade meals or all the feasts at Lee Garden. Many of us will hold dear memories of our travels with Constance: driving through the redwood forest; around Maine; along Cape Cod or paddling in a canoe in Algonquin Park.

And we will miss the sound of her voice, and the ripple of her laughter. Those will remain in our memories forever.

Constance is predeceased by her father, Gerald (1988). She leaves behind her mother, Janet, of Victoria, B.C., her brother, Alan and his husband, Jeffrey, of Palm Springs, California, her friends Teresa (Angelo, Michael, Rachel), Nicole (Michael), Hedy (Chris), Ann, Wendy (Jennifer), Catherine, Wayne, Aquinas (Choli), and her beloved cats, Cosmo and Asta who now reside happily in their new home in Peterborough.

Always in our hearts. Always loved.

We invite her friends to make donations in Constance’s name to causes or charities which you feel reflect her values and your memory of her.

Constance’s ashes will be interred in the family plot in Toronto’s historic Necropolis Cemetery when the current restrictions on gatherings are eased, followed by a celebration of Constance’s life. Details to follow here as they become available.