Constance Mae (Stevens) Emery

May 19, 2009

Constance Mae Stevens Emery, 86, longtime Somerset community activist,
died peacefully Tuesday, May 19, 2009. She was the wife of the late
Rev H Merrill Emery and daughter of the late Ora F Wilkins and Harold
C Stevens. She was the beloved sister of Eleanor E Owen of Oberlin
Ohio.

Along with her sister, survivors include her children David B Emery of
Somerset, Elizabeth C Tidwell of Westport, and Jonathan Emery of
Livermore California, and seven nieces and nephews. Connie was the
very proud grandmother of Owen Ivey, Casey Rose, and Matthew David
Tidwell of Westport.

Born and raised in Salem Mass, she lived in Somerset since 1956. As
had Eleanor, she graduated with top honors from Salem High School
where she was active in many student groups and dramatic productions.
After studying nursing, she attended graduate programs at Andover
Newton Theological School, where she met her late husband Merrill.
Soon afterward she joined in his calling to serve the UCC
Congregational Christian Church of Somerset, where she was
active for over 50 years.

Serving as Church secretary for most of that time, Connie was also a
driving force behind the Church's progressive religious education
programs for many years. With the Church as foundation, she became
one of the area's leading social justice champions creating the LIFE
program at the Church and organizing numerous area interfaith programs
and exchanges throughout the 60s and 70s. Her community activism also
extended into local and national political causes. Ms Emery was a
fearless advocate and member of local chapters of the National
Organization of Women and Nuclear Disarmament groups. Her dedication
to the community included serving as a tireless citizen watchdog
attending Somerset Board of Selectman meetings faithfully each week
through countless political issues and leadership changes.

Constance will also be remembered as the founder of United Families
Inc., a non-profit organization serving mentally ill adults in the
Fall River area. Her three decades of dedication to the UFI cause
helped protect and advance the rights, dignity, and quality of life
for innumerable Somerset area clients and families. During her later
years she was able to aid UFI and several other social justice
missions by creating and operating the UFI Gift Shop at Pottersville
Place. A pioneer in the Fair Trade movement, the Gift Shop worked
with SERRV organization to offer handcrafted items made by
impoverished overseas artisans as well as items promoting other
globally responsible charities such as Heifer International
and UNICEF.

In addition to her abiding sense of social justice, friends and family
will always fondly remember Connie's joy when bird watching and her
love and mastery of the written word. She was a published poet and
spent countless hours composing letters, articles, and newsletters.
One of her favorite pastimes in recent years was challenging her
grandchildren to best her in word games. The gift of her
intelligence, wit, and passion lives on in them, and especially in her
son, David.

Funeral Information

All are invited to attend a memorial service and collation to be held
at 2PM on Sunday May 31, 2009 at the Congregational Christian Church,
1411 County Street, Somerset. To LIGHT A CANDLE, SIGN THE MEMORIAL REGISTER, consult THE GRIEF LIBRARY, or obtain FACILITY DIRECTIONS, please log on to www.hathawayfunerals.com., or telephone 508/673-0781.

Donations Information

Connie requested that in lieu of flowers friends and family do an act of justice in her honor.
Memorial donations may also be made to the Emery Scholarship Fund at the
Church, Hiefer International, SERRV, or UNICEF.