CAMDEN — Connie Beasley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, departed this world on July 22, 2023 at her home in Quarry Hill, Camden, Maine. Her passing was peaceful, as she had hoped since the start of her journey with advanced ovarian cancer two years ago. 

Connie was born December 9, 1938 in Hackensack, New Jersey, the second daughter of Gunnar Frolen and Pauline Kirschner. As a child she was heavily involved in music and ballet, passions that continued throughout her life. After graduation from high school in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, Connie attended the Boston Conservatory of Music and then graduated from Boston University where she met George Frederic Beasley. 

Connie and George were married in Presidio of Monterey, in Monterey, California. They lived an extraordinary life, welcoming a daughter Christine and a son, David, and spending years living overseas in both Asia and Europe with the US Army and Foreign Service. In her forties, Connie decided to fulfill a long-held goal of going to nursing school, and she subsequently worked as a registered nurse for many years, both in the United Sates and at US embassies abroad. Her chosen profession was in keeping with her caring and empathetic spirit.

Connie was fiercely devoted to and protective of her family. She was a supportive and doting mother to both her children. Being a grandmother was the role that brought her the most joy and fulfillment. She valued and accepted each family member as they were, and she was the linchpin of her family.

Connie was intelligent, insightful and had a wonderful and irreverent sense of humor. She loved cooking, music, books, politics and travel, and all small and adorable creatures. She treasured her extensive network of friends, from all phases of her life, from high school, college, her travels and her retirement years in mid-coast Maine.

During her time living in Stockholm, Sweden, she forged strong relationships with her Swedish cousins. She continued to travel regularly to Sweden for as long as she was able, and her bonds with her family there were a source of immense joy to her.

She was a strong, gentle and amazing woman. She faced death with the same grace and dignity that characterized her whole life. Her physical presence in our lives will be sorely missed.

Connie is survived by her husband, George; her children Christine, David (Riti Dhesi); three grandsons, Deven, Kai and Nikhil; her sister, Marie-Louise, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is scheduled for August 6, 2023, at 2 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist in Thomaston, Maine, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish are encouraged to make a donation to one of the following charities in her name:

-National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (ovarian.org)
-Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocra.org)
-Sussman House Hospice at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Maine

Condolences may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.  Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.