Constance M. "Connie" Best

Constance M. “Connie” Best           “beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend”

BOLIVAR, NY---Constance M. “Connie” Best, 65, a longtime resident of Bolivar, passed away at home with her loving family by her side on Sunday, December 21, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer.
     Born May 13, 1949 in Bolivar, she was a daughter of Rudolph and Leora Jordan Childs.  On September 5, 1973 in Olean, she married Ralph J. Best, who survives.
     At age 40, Connie proudly earned her G.E.D.  She was employed for 28 years as a bus driver for the Bolivar-Richburg School District, retiring in 2011.
     She was a member of Kenyon-Andrus American Legion Post 772 Ladies Auxiliary in Bolivar.  Connie loved camping, going to Cuba Lake, Triple R Campground in Franklinville, and Sunny Hill in Bolivar.  She loved to travel.  She always enjoyed her weekly breakfast with the other retired bus drivers in Bolivar.
     Surviving besides her husband are five daughters, Michelle D. (Scott) Sloat of Wellsville, Cissy H. (Stacy) Davenport of Butler, MO, Sheri D. (Scott) Cowles of West Clarksville, Maryellen A. Best of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Ashley D. Best of Rochester, NY; two sons, Ralph R. (LaRae) Best of Bolivar and Mark D. (Jessica) Best of Richburg; seventeen grandchildren; one great-grandson; two great-granddaughters; four sisters, Shirley Hackett of Bolivar, Phyllis (Paul) Neu of Cuba, NY, Carolyn Hackett of Bolivar, and Patricia Learn of Bolivar; and many nieces and nephews.
     In addition to her parents, Connie was predeceased by a daughter, Sheila M. Best Ryan who passed away on February 1, 2011; a sister, Beverly Brown; and three stepbrothers, Donald Pettit, Duncan Pettit, and Arnold Pettit.
     Friends may call on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the Faith Bible Church, Little Genesee, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at which time a memorial service will follow with the Rev. Clint Pearsall, pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.
     Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or Wilmont Cancer Institute at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642.
     Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.