Constance Lucille Vancura

Constance was born a twin to Paolo and Lucia Richichi in Brooklyn, New York, on May 12, 1938. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School and graduated from Erasmus High School, both in Brooklyn. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Walter, and they were married on February 2, 1957, at St. Rose of Lima Church. In the mid-1960s, they moved to Long Island, New York, where they raised their children before relocating to Fort Worth, Texas, in the early 1980s.

Constance excelled in ocean swimming, was a lifeguard and diver, and could easily do handstands! She was devoted to her Catholic faith, served as a Girl Scout leader, and shared her creativity by teaching preschool and art to children. She was also an antique collector, seller, and appraiser in Texas. Constance was a wonderful cook, taught Catechism, and served as a Eucharistic minister, offering spiritual support to family, friends, and her community.

She had a great sense of humor and always saw the good in people and in life. She enjoyed walks, often finding twigs shaped like crosses, and carried immense fortitude through many trials, never giving up and always showing love. Up until her final week, she prayed continuously and reminded her family that she wanted them to love one another.

During the last 13 months of her illness, she lived with her daughter in Grapevine, Texas, who lovingly cared for her.

Constance is survived by her beloved husband, Walter Theodore VanCura; daughter, Helen Jayet; sons, Walter P. (Cathrine) VanCura, Paul (Elvira) VanCura, Christian VanCura (Tonya Huber), and Matthew (Amber) VanCura; grandchildren, Adina (Jason) Fernandez, Joshua (Jennifer) VanCura, Jeremey VanCura, and Brianna VanCura; and great-grandchildren, Cameron and Ella Fernandez, and Connor, Cannon, and Zeppelin VanCura. She is also survived by her twin brother, Peter (Anne) Richichi, her sister, Victoria (William) Grobe, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paolo and Lucia Richichi, and her brother and sister-in-law, Gaetano and Rosemary Richichi.

A Catholic High Requiem Mass will be held on October 7, 2025, at Mater Dei Catholic Parish, 2030 E. State Hwy 356, Irving, TX 75060. Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at 2:15 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.