Constance K. Opie

Constance Elizabeth (nee Kickuth) Opie, 92, passed away on November 8, 2016 after a short illness. Formerly a resident of Holmdel NJ and Hamden, Maine, Connie was born in Ridgefield Park NJ. She graduated from Bogota High School in 1941. She was employed by Wright Aeronautical in Paterson NJ as a chemical technician. It was at Wright that she met her husband William R Opie. After marriage, the couple moved to Cambridge Massachusetts where Bill completed his studies at MIT. Returning to New Jersey, where they raised their children, Connie became active in community service. She donated her time and talents to many social organizations in the Monmouth County area. She was a member and served as treasurer of Monmouth County Organization of Social Service (M.C.O.S.S); she was a Gray Lady for the American Red Cross: a volunteer with the ASPCA, and a driver for the American Cancer Assoc., transporting patients to their appointments. She was also a Brownie leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. Connie was a talented artist who liked to sketch and especially liked working with water colors. Throughout their marriage, Connie and Bill were avid travelers that included many trips criss-crossing the country as well as Europe, South America, South Africa and Asia. In 2000, Connie and Bill “retired” to Maine and spent the next 11 years there returning to NJ in 2011. Connie is predeceased by her husband of 68 years William, her beloved sister Lyle Marie Kesnig, and her parents Frederick Ewald Kickuth and Helen Fleiger Kickuth. She is survived by her daughter, Lyle Margaret, her husband Ralph Sturmfels; a son, Guy William Opie and his wife Nancy; grandchildren, Blythe Schell and husband Edward; Corey Sturmfels and wife Filomena; Kim Sturmfels-Hall and husband Robert; Tiffany Stevenson and husband Bill; Lawrence Zettell and wife Rachel, and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece Constance Valenti, her nephew Wayne Kesnig and his wife Christine and 4 great- nieces and nephews. A memorial will be held at the Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel NJ, Monday, November 21, at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clean Water Fund.org (www.cleanwateraction.org/support-nj)or the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. (www.greatpondmountain.org.).