Constance Williams - Obituary

onstance Elaine Williams, a long-time resident of the Fitler Square area of Philadelphia died on December 6 in Annapolis, MD of multiple, age-related causes. She was 79. Connie was the daughter of Heberton (Buzz) Williams and Charlotte Elaine Groves. She was a great granddaughter of Arthur Dorrance, a former president of Campbell Soup and brother of one of the founders. Born in Camden, NJ, Connie was raised in Moorestown, N.J. by her father and step-mother, the former Jean Innes. She was a cheerleader at Moorestown HS, and after graduation attended Centenary JC in Hackettstown, NJ. One of her first jobs after college was working as an administrative assistant for Bud Dudley, a former athletic Director for Villanova University in Philadelphia. Mr. Dudley subsequently founded the Liberty Bowl in Philadelphia and Connie became its acting Secretary. She continued in that capacity for many years, even after the Liberty Bowl moved to Memphis, TN. Mr. Dudley was also the owner of the Philadelphia Ramblers, a minor league ice hockey team. He appointed her as the General Manager of that team and she became the first woman to hold such a position. Because of that distinction, she was selected to participate in the very popular TV show "What's My Line", where she was able to stump a panel of celebrity contestants trying to guess her occupation. After her experience with the Ramblers, Connie worked at Philadelphia's Civil War Museum for many years. She was a long-time President of the Fitler's Square Association and, as such, was very instrumental in the refurbishment of the square into its current appearance. She was also a member of Trinity Episcopal Church on Rittenhouse Square and a proud member of the vestry. She later attended Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Connie loved life and loved to travel. From early summers in Wyoming (where her maternal grandparents had owned Buffalo Bill's Ranch) to riding camels in Egypt, to months with her 'adopted' daughter in Italy, she was always ready to pack her bags. Her favorite destination was Key West and her favorite bar was 'Schooners'. Connie is survived by a brother, Craig; a sister, Tama and nephews, nieces and their families. She also has three surviving step-siblings, Page Simpson and his wife, Guislaine, Meade Fasciano and Mary Jean Wampler and her husband, John, who are very much a part of her family. Though she never wed, Connie considered her best friend's daughter, Jenny Crouse, to be her own. She would also want to remember her friends, especially Ron Costigan, who gave her great comfort in her final years. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite charity. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Online guestbook available by clicking the tab on this page.