Constance Henderson

Constance Ruth D. Henderson, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home next to her husband of 44 years, Gregory W. Henderson Sr., on May 22, 2023. She was born on April 21, 1939, in Portland, ME.
Connie graduated from Torrington High School in Litchfield County, CT. She then went on to attend Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University Fine Arts and University of Maine Fine Arts. She earned a BFA in Fine Arts, Fine/Studio Arts and a General BA. She studied under several well-known Water Colorists.
She was a gifted artist and won many prizes in art including the Clairol Purchase Prize in Stamford, CT, The Grumbacher Award, and several ribbons in Bangor, Orono, Old Town and Waterville. Her works include beautiful landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and religious images (which she felt were often inspired by the Holy Spirit).
She shared her love of art and God with students for over 40 years at her Netcasters Studio in Bangor and the two studios built lovingly by her husband Greg at their homes in Dixmont and Etna. She had been an art teacher at All Saints Catholic School in Bangor, and had taught Adult Education art classes in Orono, Hampden and Newport. Her classes included lessons in Water Color, Oil, Drawing, and other media.
Connie belonged to several Art Societies including Catholic Artists in the 80’s.
Over the years Connie enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography, and gardening.
Connie was a woman of love, faith, courage, integrity, and humility.
Connie and Greg both said they saved one another and were a blessing to one another. Those who knew Connie, know she was not afraid to share her faith. She was a communicant of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. Both converts to Catholicism, together they lived out their faith in many ways such as by being sponsors in the RCIA program, being members of the Charismatic Renewal Team in Maine, and being actors in the Living Stations of the Cross presented in various Catholic churches. Connie painted the Stations of the Cross which Greg built for their property in Dixmont and again in Etna. She was a member of the St. Monica Prayer Group and had participated in the Walking with Purpose Bible Study Groups. Connie and Greg led a Padre Pio Prayer Group in their home for years. They made a pilgrimage to Medugorje and to St. Anne’s in Canada and the Holy Land with Fr. Bob Vaillancourt. Connie constantly prayed for others (especially her family). She had a strong devotion to Mary, the Rosary, and her very large communion of saints. Despite her illness and pain, she continued to give thanks to Jesus. She prayed that all come to know that God is real and Jesus loves them.
Connie is survived by her husband, Gregory W. Henderson Sr.; her son, Gregory Smedal(wife Debbie); her daughter, Mari Remeschatis; her brother, David Dean (wife, Ginger); her sister Ellen Hebb; her stepdaughters Tammie Boisvert and Valerie Schenck (husband, Rob); stepson, Gregory W. Henderson, Jr.; her grandchildren; Seth, Morgan, Dalton, Kayle, Tabitha, Andrew, Lyla and David; her great-grandchildren, Alexi and Gabriella; niece, Stephanie and nephews, Neal and Bobby. She is predeceased by her parents Frederick Charles Davis, Margaret Emerson Hinckley Davis Dean and Buel Dean.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 P.M., Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the Hampden Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M., Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, 70 Western Ave., Hampden, followed by the Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, 449 Ohio St., Bangor. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Connie in a special way may make a gift in her memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 217 York St., Bangor, ME 04401; or All Saints Catholic School, PO Box 1749, Bangor, ME 04402-1749.