Obituary of Constance Wagar

Constance Nixon Wagar, 92 of Niskayuna, NY, entered eternal life Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home in Clifton Park, NY. Connie was born December 3, 1917 to Samuel Frederick Nixon II and Marion Hequembourg Nixon in Westfield, N.Y. She grew up in Westfield NY and attended Westfield High School; Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Bradford Junior College and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, Massachusetts. She went on to work for Bell Aircraft Corporation in Buffalo, NY; The American Red Cross in China, India, Burma and Hawaii; Smith, Wild, Beebe & Cades in Hawaii; Chatauqua & Erie Telephone in Westfield, NY; The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (precursor to NASA), Washington DC; and SUNY at Fredonia in Fredonia, NY. Connie was very proud of her Red Cross service to the troops in India during WWII. She left her position as the secretary to the President of Fredonia College to marry the Rev. John E. Wagar who served churches in Silver Creek, NY and Mechanicville, NY. Connie and John adopted two children from the Holt Adoption agency in 1962 and raised their family in Niskayuna , NY. Connie was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her positive and loving spirit touched all who knew her. Throughout her life and in the face of adversity, she maintained a spirit of gratitude and grace. She was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady and volunteered with the Red Cross, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center and her church. Connie was predeceased by her 3 brothers, Samuel Frederick Nixon III, Alistair Nixon, Roderick Nixon, and her husband of 41 years, Rev. John E. Wagar. Connie is survived by her son and daughter in-law , Sam and Betsy Wagar of Niskayuna; her daughter and son in-law, Jean and Don Chillrud of Niskayuna; grandchildren: Samantha and Nathaniel Wagar and Elisabeth and Daniel Chillrud. Connie also leaves many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the staff at Schuyler Ridge, Kingsway Arms and especially the staff at the Glen Eddy Terrace in Niskayuna. Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 11 Am until the time of Funeral Services there at 12 Noon with the Rev. Stephen Morse of the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield officiating. Burial will be in Westfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Holt International Childrens' Services, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, Oregon 97402 and First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, P.O Box 6, Schenectady 12301. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Mrs. Wagar's family a message of sympathy.