Constance Drewry Farnsworth

Our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great grandmother, passed away on August 10th at the age of 95 - the same age her brother, Garth, was when he passed away in 2023.

Born in Kingsville, Texas, Connie moved as a child to Tacoma, Washington, then to NYC where her Dad obtained his Doctorate in Education at Columbia and her Mom was a private duty nurse. The family subsequently relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts when Connie’s Dad became a professor and later a Dean of Education at Springfield College.

Connie and her brother, Garth, excelled in school, both skipping grades and enjoying car trips on the weekend to auctions and bargain hunting; a favorite pastime, of their parents. She loved working as a summer camp counselor and played on the volleyball, tennis, and basketball teams in high school.

An excellent student, Connie received a full scholarship to Mount Holyoke College where she graduated summa cum laude. After her Dad passed away in her Senior year, she changed her focus from medicine and earned a Master’s degree in Education.

Connie married Vern Farnsworth in 1956 and continued to teach until her children, Connie and then Jon, were born. As her children started school, Connie became an adjunct professor at Springfield College. A fond memory of ours was going to class with her in the evenings. Vern landed in politics in the 60s, and Connie being the faithful good spouse, supported him, attending numerous political events, campaigning, and meeting many noteworthy characters. In addition to political functions, Connie had a passion for volunteerism and served on the board of College Club, YMCA and the Children’s Home in Springfield, Massachusetts. She instilled in us a great sense of giving back, of compassion and respect, always seeing the best in others.

Mom loved adventure…taking us for long walks in the woods to identify bugs and flora, taking us to excavation sites to find artifacts, teaching us about conservation and appreciation of nature. During several summers, we would take the family station wagon from Massachusetts to Minnesota to visit our Grandma Ga; stopping in different places and seeing unique sites along the way.

In the 1970s, Mom and Dad moved to Quechee, Vermont, a place Mom loved, attending sporting events at Dartmouth, playing golf, and cultivating a large garden. Though she never planned to leave Vermont, when her granddaughter, Allison, was born, she packed up and moved to Tampa. With her love of teaching, Connie took a position at St. John’s Episcopal Day School and retired there after 28 years…at age 83!

She stayed very involved after retirement as Treasurer of Sons of Norway, tutoring at Hyde Park United Methodist and volunteering where needed. A devout Tampa Bay Lightning fan, Connie knew each player’s stats and their personal stories. She also followed the Bucs and the Rays.

Above all, Connie loved her family; spending good quality time with her son and daughter, granddaughter, Allison and husband, Chris, and her precious great granddaughter, Amelia. She was so proud of them! She also had a special family in the patrons and staff at Pach’s in South Tampa, her favorite place where she went for lunch almost every day.

Connie had a long and fulfilling life but will be missed dearly! Special thanks to Dr. Leonard Cosmo who listened and cared for her so thoughtfully, to Peg, her close friend and neighbor with whom she shared her love of sports and family stories, and her 2nd family at Pach’s.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ingeborg and her brother Garth (Anne). Surviving Connie are her children, Connie and Jon, Granddaughter, Allison (Chris), great granddaughter, Amelia, and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Blount & Curry Life Event Center, located at 605 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609. The family will receive guests beginning at 1:30 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm.

Following the service, family and friends are invited to continue the celebration at a reception at Pach’s Place, located at 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33609. Parking for the reception will be available at Good Shephard Lutheran Church next door.