Constance "Connie" Marie (Stankiewicz) Richards, 85, of Laconia, NH, and formerly of Peabody, died early Sunday evening in the presence of family at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the devoted wife of the late Donald C. Richards, with whom she had shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in Marblehead, she was the daughter of the late William and Sarah (Conway) Stankiewicz. She was subsequently raised and educated in Peabody, and was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1954.

After graduation from high school, Connie enlisted in the United States Air Force. There she met fellow airman, and future husband Don. They started a family in 1956 that in time would come to include four sons. After a few trying years in Scranton, PA, Connie and family found themselves moving back to Peabody in 1963. It was there that things came together, and they remained in Peabody for the next 34 years before retiring to what had been their Laconia vacation home in 1997. During those Peabody years, in addition to raising her family, Connie earned her nursing license, and was in nursing for several years before later finishing her full-time working career at New England Telephone.

She enjoyed nothing more than to spend time with family and friends, and to go on road trips with her beloved husband Don. She was also instrumental in helping him to build the Weirs Community Park in Laconia, where she also served as the manager for the associated Weirs Community Parkhouse for several years.

Connie is survived by her four sons, Jeff and his wife Linda of Middleton, Jon and his wife Rose of Laconia, NH, Mark and his wife Linda also of Laconia, and Scott and his wife Ann-Marie, of Haverhill. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Katharine, Ryan, Kelley, Keith, Nicole, Carly, and Tyler., as well as great-grandchildren Wesley and Casey. Many nieces, nephews, grand, and great-grand nieces and nephews also find themselves saying farewell to their dear "Auntie Connie".

Finally, she is survived by her sister Teresa (Betty) Gallant, and brother Kevin Stankiewicz, but predeceased by her brother George Stankiewicz.

Her funeral will be held on Friday at 9:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, Lynn St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, 100 R Cedar Grove Ave, Peabody. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Because Connie was such an animal lover, in lieu of flowers, please donate generously to dawgsfightback.com. Dawgsfightback.com/donate/