Constance D. "Connie" (Vedette) Mayhew

Mrs. Constance D. "Connie" (Vedete) Mayhew, of Whitesboro, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 22, 2006, at the Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica, Connie was the daughter of the late Nicholas L., Sr. and Jennie (Misercola) Vedete. Raised and educated locally, she was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. On October 20, 1956 she married Clifford A. Mayhew. Throughout their union of almost 50 years, Connie and Clifford have shared a steadfast devotion to one another and to the needs of their family. Connie was deeply dedicated to those she loved. She had a special way of making others feel important and cared for, and she had a gift for creating and maintaining meaningful relationships. As the family matriarch, she derived her greatest joy in life from her loved ones. She was especially proud that she had instilled in them the importance of family values, such as respect, loyalty, closeness, and an abiding love for one another. When her children began to establish their own families, Connie experienced a renewal of her life and her sense of purpose. She considered her grandchildren to be special blessings, and she cherished each moment of the time she devoted to them. Because she especially loved and enjoyed the Christmas season, it was of great importance to her to celebrate the holidays and to honor its many traditions with her family and friends. She was a communicant of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Mrs. Mayhew is survived by her husband, Cliff; a daughter, Mary Ann Jones of Whitesboro; and a son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas and Lorraine Mayhew, also of Whitesboro. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren: Angela, Nick, and Katie Mayhew, and Michael Jones and Melissa Jones. In addition, she is survived by her nieces and nephews, Lori, Sharon, and Steven and their spouses; Mike and Tina; her great-nieces and great-nephews; an uncle, Anthony Misercola and his wife, Carmelita; an aunt, Agnes Juidiciani; a number of cousins; her in-laws, Gerard and Frances Mayhew; and the many loyal and cherished friends who were such a blessing in her life, including Elaine and John, Georgi and Pat, Diana, and Patti. She was predeceased by two brothers and a sister-in-law, Louis N. Vedete and Nicholas L. Jr. and Janet M. Vedete; a sister, Angela Vedete, whom she loved dearly and missed greatly; and her longtime friend, Carole Shockley. The family offers its deepest gratitude to Dr. Kachare who was a wonderful source of encouragement and comfort, and to the numerous specialists who cared for Connie. Sincere thanks also to the many health care professionals at the Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center for their expertise and compassion: the personnel of the ICU, especially Amy and Amy; the staff of the 5th floor, especially Rog and Doug; and all those who attended Connie and her family with respect and concern. Visitation will be held today (Wednesday) from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Please omit floral offerings. Those wishing to do so may consider making donations in Connie's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Mrs. Mayhew's funeral will commence on Thursday morning at 8:30 from the funeral home and at 9:30 at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Constance D. "Connie" (Vedette) Mayhew

April 20, 1931 - January 22, 2006