Concetta "Connie" (Cortesa)(Puppel) Thompson

ORANGE- Concetta C. “Connie” (Cortesa)(Puppel) Thompson, 93, of Prentiss Street, died early Sunday morning, October 24, 2021 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 30, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Vincenza (Buccheri) Cortesa and grew up in Hartford, graduating from Hartford High School in 1945.

Connie married John Frederick Puppel on October 6, 1951 and enjoyed almost 20 years until his death on June 17, 1971.  Connie later married Walter Thompson on July 4, 1974 and they had 43 years together until Walter died on July 27, 2017.

Connie had moved to Warwick in November of 1962, later moving to Orange in 1969.

While living in Connecticut, Connie worked for Connecticut General Insurance and after moving, she worked at the Adell Corporation as well as Franklin County Trust (Shawmut Bank), retiring from Bank of America in 1992.

Connie had a love for dance and she and Walter formed TNT ballroom dancing and taught many in the area the art of dance. They were also members of the Jumptown Twirlers for years.

A member of Saint Mary’s Church in Orange, she also belonged to the Saint Mary’s Women’s Club, as well as the Women’s Quota Club.

Family was everything to Connie. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Coburn of Orange and Debra Puppel of Orange and son in law, Joel Botti of Orange; grandchildren, Brent Cleveland of New Hampton,  NH, Lauren Puppel Sexton of Ocean Springs, MS, and Molly Larabee of Orange.  She also leaves great grandchildren, Kyle and Kolby Cleveland and Noah Larabee; great, great grandchildren, Katrina and Aaron Cleveland; and nieces Patricia O’Donovan and Joanne Cortesa.

Besides her parents and husbands, Connie was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey F. Puppel, a niece, Ann Marie Sweeney and a brother, Frank Cortesa.

Calling hours will be held on November 6, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 6, 2021 at 1 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Church, 19 Congress Street, Orange, with Fr. Shaun O’Connor officiating.

Interment  in South Cemetery, Orange, will be private

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mary’s Women’s Club, ATTN: Treasurer, Robin Lacroix, 19 Congress Street, Orange, MA 01364.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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