Constance DeFelice (“Connie”) passed away peacefully at her home in Oak Bluffs, surrounded by friends and family, on July 4, 2025, at the age of 95.
Connie was born in Westwood to Joseph and Constance Vaux on May 26, 1930. She grew up in Westwood, and graduated from Westwood High School. After high school, she attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education.
After college, Connie worked as a physical education teacher in Canton. This is where she would meet her husband, Eugene DeFelice, who was the principal of the school where Connie taught. Connie and Eugene were married on Jan. 31, 1965. They lived in Canton, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and eventually Oak Bluffs. Eugene and Connie were married for 54 years, until Eugene’s death in 2019.
Connie is survived by her children and their spouses, Albert and Marilyn Deininger, Gene and Patti DeFelice, Susan Leahy, Steven DeFelice, Robert and Gina DeFelice, Christine and Paul Buckley, Kevin McIsaic, and William DeFelice; her grandchildren, Shawn Leahy, Chrissy Leahy, Melissa Ogden, Tim DeFelice, Kayla Pinkham, Jaime Pachico, John Pachico, Cody Pachico, and Paul Buckley; her great-grandchildren, Katie Ogden, Fenway Worthing, Skyla Harthcock, Stella Pachico, Logan and Harper DeFelice, and Izzy Pachico; her friends Donna Montesion, Pam O’Neil, and Sheryl and Bob Wallace; and her beloved cat, Mia. Connie was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Vaux, and her husband, Eugene DeFelice, who died on May 31, 2019.
Services for Constance will be held on July 14. Visiting hours will be held at Chapman Funerals in Oak Bluffs from 10 am until noon. Immediately following visiting hours, a graveside service and burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. A reception will be held at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs following the graveside service.