Constance F. Black

Constance F. Black, 81, formerly of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014, in Boston, MA.

Connie was born in Dundee, Quebec, Canada, on January 10, 1933, a daughter of the late George and Annie McPherson Benane.  A resident of Cincinnatus from 1962 until 1999, she was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where she was a member and past president of the Holy Name Altar and Rosary Society.  She also served as the religious education director for seven years.  A graduate of the Beaux Art School of Beauty, Bradenton, FL, she worked as a hairdresser for over 50 years.  Locally, she owned and operated a beauty salon in Cincinnatus for several years and also worked along side her husband, Fred Black, at the Black Funeral Home from 1962 until their retirement in 1999.  In her spare time, she was active with the Cincinnatus Food Pantry from its beginning until 1999; a member of the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596 Auxiliary; and volunteered on the Cincinnatus Beautification Committee from 1976 until 1979.  After her retirement, she moved to the McGraw and Cortland area for a few years before moving to Nevada and Massachusetts to be near her children.  Connie will be featured in an ABC network documentary entitled “The Golden Hour” which is scheduled to air in February 2015.  A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her children, Valerie Black (Darin) Moore of Fallon, NV, Martin (Vickie) Black, of Locke, Shawnee M. Black of Boston, MA, and Matthew (Lauren) Black of Boston, MA.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Katie Moore, Griffin Black, Casey Black, and Brandi Edwards; brothers, Alvin (Shawnee) Benane of Wendell, NC, and Howard (Patricia) Benane of Meridan, CT; sisters, Joyce Allen of Barrington, IL, Martha (David) Raynor of NM, and Helen (Howard) Hawkins of Ellicottville; a sister-in-law, Patricia Benane of Wendell, NC; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Fred Black, on August 26, 2003, and her grandsons, Alexander Black in 1999 and Dallas Black in 2012; a sister, Iris Villenuave in 2002 and a brother, John Benane in 2013.

Funeral services will be held at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home on Friday, December 5, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Lester Smith and Fred M.S. Downs officiating.  Burial will follow in Taylor Rural Cemetery.  The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Connie may be directed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 2708 Lower Cincinnatus Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040 or Cortland-Chenango Rural Services, P.O. Box 57, Cincinnatus,  NY 13040.