Christine Conner, 75, of Stow, peacefully transitioned from life on January 2, 2024.
Christine was predeceased by her husband Bernard (Bernie) Kelley. She is survived by her loving sister Rosemary Murtha and brother Jay Pierpont Hewitt; her stepson Tobias Kelley; nephew Christian David Murtha and his wife Peggy C. Hosmer Murtha along with their four sons Nicholas, Jacob, Conner, and Brady.
Christine was born May 6, 1948 to the late Robley and Eleanor (McCann) Conner. She grew up in Concord where she graduated from Concord Carlisle High School in 1966. She then attended UMass Amherst, and she graduated with a degree in education. She returned to Concord to teach at her former elementary school, Thoreau, where she taught second, third, and fourth grade, and quickly became every students’ (and parents’) favorite teacher. After a thirty-five year career, Christine retired in 2006. Upon retirement, she embarked on a lifelong dream of traveling the world–visiting six out of seven continents between 2007 and 2015–with a colleague and friend. The highlight of her adventures was an eighteen-day trip to Egypt.
Her interests were vast and varied. In keeping with her love of education and history, Christine began volunteering at Walden Woods–whose goal is to preserve the history of New England and protect the historic land surrounding Walden Pond. Christine was also an accomplished seamstress, a talent she inherited from her mother. From her father, she acquired a love of sports, and was a loyal Red Sox and Patriots fan. She enjoyed all genres of music and belonged to two different book clubs. During the summer months, you could find her sitting by a pool or at the beach reading a book by the side of one (or many) of her beloved high school friends, with whom she enjoyed lifelong friendships and love. She might also be spotted on the golf course, and on a rainy day playing Trivial Pursuit. Christine loved animals, and at the end of her life, her beloved cat Mia was always by her side.
In the springtime, there will be a memorial service and celebration of a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Walden Woods on the Tribute Giving section of their website.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or offer a condolence in Christine’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
