Constance C. Austin peacefully departed this earthly life on November 26, 2018 and is now in her heavenly home, surrounded by her Savior, family, and friends.
Connie was born in Charlottesville, VA in 1941 and was the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth Costan. Connie had two sisters, Maria and Dimi, and a brother, Gregory. She is survived by her husband of eighteen years, Joseph, her sister Dimi and partner Bev Catlin, brother-in-law Gus Kopelousos, her niece Elizabeth Slossberg and husband Jeff Posey, her niece Stephanie Kopelousos, and great nephews Sydney, Nicholas and Benjamin Slossberg.
Connie attended Longwood College and went on to serve as Vice President of Jewel Box in Greensboro, NC. She then moved to Jacksonville, FL and worked with ATS Services. Connie came to Greenville, SC in 1989 to open an ATS franchise which she successfully operated until her retirement ten years later. With her high energy and love of people, retirement did not last long; Connie went on to work part-time at Macy’s and Mast General Store where she made lasting and dear friendships. She was a member of CEEHDA and the Gridley Club.
Perhaps the greatest surprise of her full and rich life came in the latter half, where she met and fell in love with her husband. Both previously unmarried, Joseph and Connie met while walking their dogs on Earle Street where they began two decades of happiness, both with one another and among neighbors who would become their extended family. Though they never had children of their own, the kids of Earle Street called her “Yia Yia” and him “Papou”, traditional terms of endearment for Greek grandparents. She found great joy in traveling to Greece, cooking, and passing down her favorite recipes to Etta and Lane.
The family wishes to thank Homestead Hospice and Always Best Care Senior Services for their compassionate and professional care. They also express their gratitude for the Earle Street Angels (Ann P., Ann R., Ruth Ann, Lolly, GraceAnna, Charlotte, and Kylie) for surrounding Connie with love, support, and friendship throughout her life but especially during her final weeks.
Funeral services will be conducted at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1002 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601 by Fr. Gary Eichelberger at 11:00 am on December 8, 2018. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Connie’s memory to St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Committal will be in the St. Andrews Columbarium following the service.