Family, Friends Mourn Constance A. “Connie” Hembree, Howell Schools Paraprofessional

HOWELL, NJ — Family and friends are mourning the passing of Constance A. “Connie” Hembree, a Howell Township schools paraprofessional who died Tuesday, July 4. She was 54, according to her obituary from Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home of Freehold.

Connie was a lifelong resident of Howell and a 1981 graduate of Freehold Township High School. She worked as a stenographer at the Monmouth County Courthouse before going to work for the Howell Township Board of Education.

She was a dedicated paraprofessional for students with special needs, and also worked for the Police Athletic League in its afterschool care, with the special needs program, the mentor program, and STAR/SHARP.

Connie volunteered for Clean Communities and had served as the treasurer for the Howell Soccer Club. Her hobbies included gardening, playing Bunco, watching live music, "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers. She enjoyed spending time at the beach, drinking wine and vacations in St. Maarten. Connie took great pleasure in baking using her garden vegetables, but nothing compared to the time she spent with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Bernhard Volkmann. Connie is survived by her husband of 30 years, Timothy Hembree; her son, Craig R. Hembree and his girlfriend, Tracy Buchanan of Brick; her daughter, Jamie R. Hembree and her boyfriend, Tyler Dehl of Freehold; her grandson, Aiden; her mother, Hedda Volkmann of Buchanan, VA; her siblings, Annette Kniesler of Berlin; Kathleen Jackson of Franklinville; Lisa Orent of Buchanan, VA, and Michael Volkmann of Reidsville, NC; her lifelong friend, William Crawley of Chandler, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with her funeral service to follow. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Connie’s name may be made to POAC Autism Services, 1989 Route 88, Brick, NJ 08724. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com

Photo provided by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home