Constance N. Brann

LEWISTON – Constance N. Brann, 91, passed away on Oct. 17, 2025, with her children by her side.

She was born on May 27, 1934, to Howard and Ruth Marsh of Auburn. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the United Methodist Church on Park Avenue, Auburn, just down the street from the farm and florist shop where she grew up. She met her husband of 61 years, James Brann, through the Methodist youth fellowship, and they were married when she was a senior in college on Feb. 18, 1956.

After graduating from Gorham State Teachers College (now the University of Southern Maine) in 1956 with a degree in education, she and Jim moved to Columbus, Ohio, and began their family. As Jim pursued his career, they lived in Ohio (three times), Delaware, California, Florida, and Massachusetts before deciding in the late 1960s to come home to Lewiston–Auburn.

Upon returning to Maine, Connie began teaching at Pettingill Elementary School in Lewiston, where she was a beloved fourth grade teacher until her retirement. She and Jim passed on the teaching bug to all three of their children who also taught full-time or part-time.

Connie loved music and was quite musical, playing the clarinet in high school and saying that one of her favorite experiences was playing in the band and going on the band trip to Washington, D.C. She and Jim conveyed their passion for music to their kids, who constantly listen to music today, often to the annoyance of others.

Connie also passed on to her children and grandchildren her love and talent for arts and crafts, from sewing to knitting to wallpapering to upholstery. Even if her children and grandchildren didn’t all inherit her talents, they all adored the many stuffed animals and quilts she made over the years.

Connie loved to host people at her Auburn home. For years, she hosted a pool party for the Fourth of July, which coincided with the birthday of her mother, Ruth Marsh, who lived with Connie and Jim for the last years of her life. Siblings, cousins, friends, and others would come to the house to grill hamburgers, swim, and socialize.

Connie’s favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. She would invite numerous family and friends, and anyone else who didn’t have anywhere else to go. A common question to someone at Thanksgiving was “who are you?” And this really speaks to her generous nature not only to family and friends, but also strangers. Connie could and would talk to anyone, and inevitably would find a connection and say later, “that was a heck of a nice person.”

In later years, Connie and Jim discovered a love of cruising. On their first cruise, Connie utilized her sewing skills to create Jim’s Krazy Kop uniform and her complementary outfit and win the Best Costume Award. When they were home, they frequently would go on road trips to Rangeley, North Conway, N.H., or even Lubec, continuing a pattern that had started with their cross-country trips when they were younger. When they weren’t traveling, Connie could be found searching for bargains at Goodwill or Mardens (“only a little smoke damage”).

In recent years, Connie suffered the ravages of Alzheimer’s. Although she increasingly lost her cognitive abilities, she generally maintained her good humor and open personality, smiling, chuckling, and clapping. The family would like to thank the staff in the memory care unit at St. Mary’s D’Youville Pavilion, who took excellent care of her in her final years, and Gentiva Hospice, who provided caring hospice care for her in her last few months.

Connie is survived by her son, Peter Brann and partner Judy Wallingford, daughter, Nancy Lander and her husband, Tim, and daughter, Sandra Brann and her husband, Jim Megquier. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Stuart Lander (Jen), Caleb Lander (Kati), David Brann (Estelle Yoon), Michelle Brann (Prajwal Mohan Murthy), Allyson Petit, and Thomas Petit; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Jim; and her siblings and their spouses, Jean Eggert (Wendell), Janice Fischer (Paul), Ruth Ireland (Dick), and David Marsh (Mona).

A memorial service will be at the Auburn United Methodist Church, on Nov. 15, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages people to make a contribution to the

Alzheimer’s Association

or the

United Methodist Church

439 Park Ave.

Auburn, ME 04210