Connie Lou Croop

Connie Lou Croop, 75 of New Hartford, NY, and Surfside Village at Beverly Beach FL passed away on December 5, 2012 at the Stuart Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast, FL

Connie was born April 17, 1937 in Boonville, NY. She was the loving daughter of Ralph W. and Annabelle Phillips Nugent. She received her education in Boonville, graduating with the class of 1954. She attended Mohawk Valley Community College, and Utica College of Syracuse University where she received her Certificate of Management from the American Management Association.

She married Joseph E. Chwalek of New York Mills at the Boonville United Methodist Church in 1956. Mr. Chwalek passed away November 30, 1978.

Connie was employed as a marketing consultant for 23 years at the Utica National Insurance Group in New Hartford. While there she received the marketing manager's Extra Mile Award for her unselfish dedication and untiring work in furthering the marketing efforts of the group.

On January 5,1985, she met Robert J.Croop. He was a friend that reached for her hand and touched her heart. On September 7,1985, they were wed in the garden at Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club. On this day, she married her friend, the one she laughed with, lived for, dreamed with and loved.

She was very active in the New Hartford Central School District PTA, A den mother for the Cub Scouts, and a founding member of the New Hartford Youth Hockey Association. She expressed her creativity through many crafts which she donated to various charitable organizations and nursing homes to be used in fund raisers.

She and her husband Robert had a motorhome, and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada. She was an avid gardener, and expecially enjoyed all of her 75 rose bushes that she grew.

She is survived by her husband, Robert of New Hartford, son and daughter-in-law, Scott D. and Cindy Chwalek of Copake, NY and an exceptional and outstanding grandaughter, Amanda Elisabeth Chwalek of Chicago, IL. Other survivors include her stepson and his wife Robert L. and Joanne Croop of Barneveld, NY; her sister-in-law Josephine Scollino of New York Mills and her special and devoted canine companion "Tramper" She was predeceased by her parents, and special brother-in-laws Stanley Chwalek Jr and Alfred Chwalek. She loved life, family, and friends, and was blessed by all those who were part of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 4, 2013 in Beverly Beach Florida. A local service will be held later in the spring at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413.

In lieu of floral offerings, kindly consider memorial contributions in Connie's name to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio Drive, Utica, New York 13502.

To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.dfwefh.com.

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