Constance J. Dargis

Constance "Connie" Julia Dargis, 98, formerly of Turners Falls MA, suffered an unexpected illness on November 13th and passed away peacefully on November 16, 2023 at the home of her daughter Lori (Dargis) Lasser of Mechanicsville MD. In her final moments she was comforted by her daughter and son-in-law Alan Lasser.

Connie was born on May 1, 1925 in Erving MA to David and Melinda (Hebert) LaMountain. She attended Turners Falls High School in Turners Falls MA and graduated in the Class of 1945. Following graduation she worked as a retail clerk in a local department store, waitressed at the Silver Arrow diner and apprenticed at a local hair salon before enrolling in beauty school for hairdressing. In 1947 she attended beauty school and met her future husband, Theodore "Ted" L. Dargis. They fell in love and married on October 27, 1947. Together they had seven children. At the time of Ted's death in 2018, they had celebrated over 70 years of marriage.

While Ted worked three jobs to support the family, Connie raised their seven children and ventured into the working world after the birth of her seventh child in 1964. She worked in a few local factories and finally found a career in the Franklin County Public Hospital in Greenfield MA, working in the Central Service Department. She had to attend schooling and obtain a certificate in order to work in that department. Connie was a hardworking mother and a dedicated employee during her hospital career, always going above and beyond to ensure the success of the team. She was respected and admired by her colleagues for her work ethic, professionalism and kindness. However, after nineteen years of working tirelessly in the field, Connie decided to retire in 1994.

During retirement Connie found joy in pursuing her hobbies and interests. She and Ted worked on the daily puzzle in the newspaper every morning at 9:00. Connie also enjoyed reading books, working boxed puzzles, sewing, knitting, crocheting and embroidery. She was a wonderful seamstress and learned her skills from her Aunt Aldea LaMountain. Connie and Ted took long walks all over Montague Center MA where they lived for approximately 55 years before selling their house and moving to Park Villa Apartments in Turners Falls MA. Connie moved to MD in July of 2023. They also enjoyed long bike rides and traveling on bus tours with friends up and down the East Coast. After Ted's death, Connie enjoyed the company of her daughter Rae Jean by watching golf on television, going for walks on the bike path, and walking up to the railroad yard. Her son Neil would spontaneously take Connie on rides through the countryside and out for a meal and to church. She especially enjoyed seeing her Great-Granddaughter Olivia Tirrell participate in her dance recitals, the last one being in the Spring of 2023. But perhaps the greatest passion was watching her favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. She had been a devoted fan for as long as she could remember. She took one last trip to see a game at the end of August 2023 with Lori and Alan Lasser. She never stopped smiling throughout the game and had a memorable trip.

Connie is remembered by her devoted children: Neil Dargis of Charlemont MA, Rae Jean Pieffer of Turners Falls MA, Alan Dargis (Harriet Paine) of Gill MA, Lori (Alan) Lasser of Mechanicsville MD, Teri (Roger) Bishop of Boise ID, and Scot Dargis of Roswell GA. Connie was predeceased by her first-born child Gary Dargis in 2002. Connie is also remembered by her grandchildren: Dustin Dargis, Ian Pieffer, Eli Lasser, Seth Lasser, Shaddai Bishop Tirrell, Tamar Bishop Montz, and Kyle Dargis; as well as her Great-Grandchildren, Jacob Pieffer, Mason Pieffer, Abigail Dargis, Olivia Tirrell, Alex Tirrell, Graham Lasser, Reid Lasser and Natalie Lasser. Additionally, she leaves one nephew, Richard Daniels and a niece Arlene (Mooney) Spalding.

She was predeceased by her parents David Junior and Melinda (Hebert) (Gilbert) LaMountain; her siblings Blanche Gilbert, Gladys Gilbert, and Agnes (Gilbert) LaBrecque; Arthur Lawrence LaMountain, Bertha (LaMountain) Mooney, Priscilla "Pat" (LaMountain) Daniels, Alma LaMountain, Emma (LaMountain) Dargis, and Elsie (LaMountain) Tedford.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to all of the first responders and the nurses and physicians at Med-Star St. Mary's Hospital, and Hospice of St. Mary's in Leonardtown MD for their compassionate support and care provided during Connie's sudden illness and death. Also a special thank you to Connie's granddaughter, Shaddai Bishop Tirrell, a registered nurse who cared for both Connie and Ted through their final years in Massachusetts, taking them to medical appointments, assisting with prescription dispensing, general care between doctor's visits and light housekeeping and grocery shopping. She is a blessing to the family.

Cremation services were conducted by Brinsfield Funeral and Cremation in Charlotte Hall MD. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 @10:00AM, from Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh Street, Turners Falls, MA, with Rev. Fr. Stanley J. Aksamit, Pastor, as the Celebrant. This date is significant, as it marks what would have been Connie's 99th birthday and is the observance of May Day which she so enjoyed. Rites of committal and interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA, to be followed by a reception in the Fr. Casey Hall of Our Lady of Peace Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Connie to the charity of your choice or to Our Lady of Peace, 90 7th St, Turners Falls MA 01376.

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