Constance Rita Hallee Obituary (1927 - 2015)

WATERVILLE - Constance Rita Audet Hallee died peacefully at the Sunset Home for Women in Waterville on Nov. 30, 2015, just a few weeks shy of her 89th birthday. Connie came into the world on January 1, 1927, the eighth of nine children born to Leone and Albert Audet. Connie was raised in the south end of Waterville; like many of her neighbors, Connie spoke French as a first language and learned English in school. Connie met the love of her life, N. Richard "Dick" Hallee, at Waterville High School. After graduating from Waterville High, they married on Aug. 9, 1947. Connie and Dick were blessed to share 67 years together before Dick passed away on Oct. 30, 2014. Many of those years were spent at 319 Main St., Waterville, the family's longtime home, and summering on Snow Pond. Connie and Dick had six children: daughter Rebecca Hallee Sherwood and her husband Peter, of Oakland; son Gregory Hallee of Farmingdale; son Stephen Hallee of Norridgewock; son Timothy Hallee and his wife Lauren, of Fairfield; daughter Lisa Hallee and her husband Eric Sharpe, of Oakland; and daughter Bridget Hallee Campbell and her husband John, of Winslow. Connie also leaves behind six grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Matthew Sherwood of Portland; Nathan Sherwood, his wife Jessica, and son, Sam, of Cape Neddick; Scott Keddy and his wife Elizabeth of Hoboken, N.J.; Brent Hallee, his wife Crystal, and son Brody, of Stuart, Fla.; Christopher Hallee of Augusta; and Haley Campbell of Winslow. Connie was a gifted singer, and was well-known in the Waterville area. She began her musical career with the "Jive Bombers," a high school band that included Robert A. Marden on trombone and Clem Boulette on guitar. Connie sang with Al Corey and the Fred Petra orchestras at various venues around town including the Elmwood Hotel, Waterville Opera House, local radio shows, weddings and parties. Gerry Wright was one of her favorite accompanists. Connie's favorite songs included "La Vie en Rose" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow." Connie has her own Youtube channel featuring recent videos of her singing these and other favorite songs. Connie was also active in the community as a member of the Exchangettes, Waterville Women's Club, Zonta and the hospital auxiliary TOSCA. Connie's family would like to thank her doctor W. Gregory Feero, and the staff of Four Seasons Family Practice of Fairfield, for taking great care of Connie. The family would also like to thank the amazing staff at the Sunset Home for Women for making Connie's last days comfortable and peaceful. Visiting hours will be held at Gallant Funeral Home, Inc., 10 Elm St.in Waterville on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Notre Dame Church, Silver Street, Waterville, followed by a luncheon celebration of Connie's life in the church hall. A burial service will be held at the Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Augusta following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, Connie's family asks you to consider making a gift in Connie's memory to the Waterville Opera House 93 Main Street Waterville, Maine 04901 or to the Sunset Home for Women 114 College Avenue Waterville, Maine 04901