Constance (E.) Kaplan

Constance Kaplan, 88, of Palm Beach, Florida, died at home on March 19 after a long series of debilitating illnesses.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she later relocated to Manchester, Connecticut. Connie was the beloved daughter of Sidney and Freda Ellis, both late of Palm Beach; the loving and devoted wife of Seymour Kaplan, of Springfield, Massachusetts, late of Manchester; the proud mother of three children, Richard Kaplan, Ashara Stansfield, and David Kaplan; and the doting grandmother of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Long active in civic affairs, she was a strong supporter of Israel and Temple Beth Sholom (now Beth Sholom B’nai Israel), of which her father was a co-founder.

A graduate of Bard College and a passionate lover of music, opera, and the arts, Connie was an accomplished pianist who also loved to play the ukulele. She possessed a lively and unique personality, and an enlightened and lively sense of humor. Connie was an avid tennis player and fan, a voracious reader, a consummate bridge player, and she enjoyed traveling and learning. Her favorite moments were spending time with her family and her many friends who brought her the most pleasure and meaning in life, and she cared deeply for all of them. Connie maintained her optimism toward life with an uncanny resilience and passion despite being presented with many difficult challenges and having endured many adversities and heartaches.

The matriarch of the family, Connie will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by all. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a brother, and her caretaker and companion for many years, Hyacinth Cherry of Port St. Lucie, Florida, whose friendship and unrelenting dedication and compassionate care helped Connie enjoy and extend her life in ways which otherwise would not have been possible, for which the family is extremely grateful.

A graveside service will be held at 12 P.M. on Friday, March 22, at the Beth Sholom Memorial Park, 222 Autumn Street in Manchester. Donations in her memory may be made to Beth Sholom B’nai Israel and members of The Jewish Federations of North America.

Arrangement are being handled by Weinstein Mortuary of Hartford, Connecticut. For further information please visit www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.

May her memory be a blessing.

Donations in her memory may be made to

Beth Sholom B’nai Israel

400 Middle Turnpike E

Manchester, CT 061040

or to

The Jewish Federations of North America

25 Broadway, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10004

www.jewishfederations.org