Obituary of Constance M Czekanski

Constance Mary Ballenski was born on August 22, 1937 in Newark, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ballenski. Constance, or Connie as she was most commonly called, was raised in Newark and resided there until July 9, 1978, when she married Ernest Edward Czekanski and moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where she resided until her passing.

Connie was a high school educator for all her professional life. She graduated from Montclair State University, earning her teaching credentials, and spent most of her professional career employed with the South Orange-Maplewood school district, teaching business education at Columbia High School in Maplewood until she retired. Connie loved to travel, had traveled to many places in the world and was very informed about events and cultures of other places.  Connie was an excellent cook and loved cooking for her family.  She was an avid reader and had associations with various book clubs.  Connie was a joy to be around and always showed her love and support to her husband, children and grandchildren.

Connie is survived by her brother, William Ballenski Junior, of Newark; her daughter Adrienne Hart and husband Donald of Budd Lake, New Jersey; son Paul Czekanski and spouse Estervina, of Miami, Florida; and daughter Angela Powell and husband Scott of Buena Park, California. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Samantha, Brandon and Christian Hart, Brenda and Cynthia Czekanski, and Brian Travis Powell.

A funeral liturgy will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. James Church in Basking Ridge. 

Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at 9:30 AM in the chapel.

Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kearns Funeral Home, Whitehouse.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or the American Diabetes Association.