Constance Elizabeth Stapleton, 93, of Middletown Maryland, passed away peacefully April 18th, 2024 in her home, Connemara, surrounded by her loving family. She is pre-deceased by her son John “Jack” Arthur and survived by her children, Jill Adair, Susan Brooke, Michael Scott, Christopher Blair Stapleton and niece Mary Anne Coffman. She is also survived by her five grandchildren Zachary Ellis & Christopher Maximillian Fransen, Jasper (Sarvie) & Jaxon Popko Stapleton, and Zoe Aurora (John Aaron) Jovaag. She was laid to rest next to the love of her life, Rev. Hubert “Pete” Wood, the father of her step-sons Richard and David (wife Margaret) Wood at the St. James, New York Episcopal Church cemetery April, 22, 2024. Memorial services will be held June 15th at 10:30am followed by a reception at St. Paul’s Episcopal church, 209 West Main St in Sharpsburg Md 21782 (https://stpaulssharpsburg.com).
Born June 16th, 1930, she was an author and award-winning journalist. She will be reunited in heaven, with the family who raised her in Norwood Massachusetts, including beloved mother, Teresa, Father, James “Jimmy”, and Brother William, “Billy” Hurney She was inspired by a family of journalists who lived through the Great Depression with their Irish grandparents John J. and Delia Welch who came from the County Galway, Ireland. As an accomplished dreamer, she was most proud of her children who she raised in Middletown Valley at her historic home, Marameade, that she and her family restored from a former nursing home. Constance Stapleton is best known in Frederick County, Maryland as the first Tourism Director after promoting the memorable first Frederick Craft Fair. She went on to successfully promote the first Winter Market Craft Fair in Baltimore for the American Craft Council. This national recognition brought her an invitation to be the ghostwriter for the second-lady in the Carter Administration, Joan Mondale, who’s national initiative was honoring American Craftspeople. This led to her seminal book Crafts of America, featuring traditional craftspeople across the nation. Her other books include Barter co-authored with Phyllis C. Richman and Antiques Don’t Lie co-authored with Nelson Way. She served as Contributing Writer/Editor for many national magazines such as Women’s Day, Architectural Digest and Bon Appetite. A tribute video can be viewed at https://www.akcoffmanfh.com/obituaries/constance-stapleton
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 West Main Street (PO Box 364), Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782.
The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, Hagerstown, assisted the family with arrangements. Those desiring, may offer condolences to the family at www.akcoffmanfh.com
