Connie James Death, Obituary – Mrs. Connie Nadeau James of Raleigh, NC, known to family and friends as “Connie,” died peacefully on December 10 after a long illness. Connie Nadeau was born on January 1, 1929 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to the late Zita and Euclide Nadeau. Connie graduated as co-valedictorian of the class of 1946 from Woonsocket, Rhode Island’s former St. Clare High School.
The loss of Ms. Connie James has saddened our Leopard Family. She was adored by our kids and staff, and she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a substitute teacher at De Queen High School and Junior High. We could always count on her sense of humour to enliven our days, and she was a devoted fan of the Leopards and Lady Leopards. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers. Ms. James was unique, and we will miss her greatly.
After a year of business school, her adventurous spirit led her to Washington, DC, where she worked for the Department of the Navy. She married F. Allen Mothershead in 1950 and relocated to Maryland, where they produced a daughter, Donna.Connie worked for the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Maryland in College Park for 26 years.
In 1978, she married Robert C. (“Bob”) James, Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This led Connie to Greensboro, North Carolina, where she lived for nearly 40 years and attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Connie and Bob traveled thousands of miles together, attending athletic gatherings and sporting events across the United States and around the world. Connie relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2017 to be closer to her daughter.
Mrs. James was predeceased by her husband, Bob James, her brother, Edgar (Vivian) Nadeau, her sister, Claire (Harold) Blazon, and her great grandson, Lucas Manson. Connie is survived by her daughter, Donna (Lowry) Manson of Raleigh, two grandchildren, Scott (Mairin) Manson of Sugar Land, TX and Brian (Jaime) Manson of Edmond, OK, six great grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.
Mrs. James will be laid to rest in the Nadeau family plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Cumberland, RI, following a private Funeral Mass on Friday, December 17. The Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket, RI, is in charge of the arrangements.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the employees at The Cardinal at North Hills in Raleigh, as well as her loyal private caregivers, for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the may be made.