Connie’s humble beginnings started on Knox St in Rumford on November 10, 1942 a daughter of Constantine J. and Frances G. (Barney) Stalmuke. As a young child, she was an adventurous tomboy parading the street with doll heads on sticks or occasionally chasing neighborhood boys with mice. She enjoyed those early friendships developed in her neighborhood and as a student St. Athanasius and St. John School.
Her magnetic personality drew a large collection of lifelong friendships, many fostered during her time at Stephens High School where she graduated in the class of 1961. She married Bernard Cassidy in June of 1962; the couple had two children. Connie raised her two children with an iron fist and fiercely loving heart. She was very creative at providing memorable birthdays and magical holidays. Everyone was welcome at her home, it was a place where many a teenager shuffled through her door. She was proud of her children’s accomplishments and patiently waited to earn the title of grandmother. Her patience paid off when she became a grandmother three times in a period of two years. She loved her three grandchildren with all her heart and would stop at nothing to move the moon and stars to show her love and please them.
Connie was employed for over 30 years for the Town of Rumford, during which she followed her passion earning credentials to become the first woman assessor for the town. She was a faithful communicant at Parish of the Holy Savior. She was extremely proud of her Lithuanian heritage and shared that enthusiasm with fellow members of the Lithuanian Club. She enjoyed participating in the Lithuanian Picnic and Christmas Tree Festival each year. Connie made many trips to California to visit her son and experienced many new adventures jet skiing, camping, and visiting Disneyland.
Many things describe Connie, but she is best known for her love of dogs. What’s her favorite dog??? “All of them!!” she would say but she was extremely partial to poodles, rescuing several over the years.
Not long ago, Connie faced and conquered two major health scares: a stroke then a heart attack. She seemed unsinkable. It would not to be the end of her challenges; within the past six months she was given two late-term cancer diagnoses. Connie was not going down without a fight and a fight she gave. With the support of her family and friends, she attacked these opponents with extreme tenacity, however, her weakened body could not overtake them. She demonstrated dignity and grace in the face of adversity. Her final days were filled with her favorite music, sharing fond memories, reading the many well wishes in cards and messages, and phone calls. In the early hours of April 8, with her daughter by her side, Connie, 77, departed her earthly body with the deep love that surrounded her and ascended onto her eternal life. Many people have been touched by Connie’s love and kindness; her passing is a tremendous loss felt by her community and all that befriended her.
Connie is survived by her daughter, Susan Cassidy of Jay; her son, Lawrence Cassidy and wife Kari of Corona, CA; three grandchildren, Corrin Cassidy, Zachary Cassidy, and Logan Pinkham; her sisters-in-law; Loretta Bard and Linda Kozlowski, brothers-in-law; Tom Cassidy and Jim Cassidy, and their respective spouses; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and her dog and constant companion; Chanel. She was predeceased by her parents, and two very dear cousins; Jean (Stalmuke) Mcguire and Louise (Stalmuke) Conti.
Her family would like to extend an enormous thank you to Connie’s “sister” Loretta Bard, neighbors: Mary Gallant, Craig and Mary Zurhorst, long-term friends: Sue Glover, Regine Smith, and Carolyn Dupuis for their constant concern, care, getting her to appointments, checking on her at home, but most importantly being her morale support when she needed it most. Also, we wish to thank the incredible staff at CMMC Lewiston and Rumford locations for their extremely compassionate care and permitting us to be by her side during the restrictive pandemic. The work you perform cannot be measured; we will be forever in your debt. To the enormous circle of Mom’s friends, know that she treasured each and every one of you. The greatest honor is to keep her memory alive in your hearts.
All are invited to celebrate in a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at a later date.
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