Dilger, Constance Fowler

FAIRPORT – Constance (Connie) Fowler Dilger passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2024. Connie was born on August 2, 1932, in Rochester, NY. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) of almost 68 years, parents Winifred and Keith Fowler and twin sister, Shirley (Bruce_D) Hoy. Connie is survived by her devoted and loving children Arlene Dilger Race and Audrey (William_D) Keller; grandchildren Alissa (Andrew) Cogan, Curtis Race, Nik Keller, and Victor Keller; great-granddaughter August Cogan; sister-in-law Marion (Henry_D) Dilger, nieces, nephews, and many loving friends. 

After attending Grove City College, Connie returned to Brockport, became secretary to the principal at Brockport High School and married Bob in 1956.  Their first daughter, Arlene Constance was born the last year of college and attended Bob’s graduation.  They settled temporarily in Pittsford, where another daughter, Audrey Carolyn was born, and then built their forever home in Fairport.    

With an acute business mind, Connie went to work as the Administrative Assistant of Mountain Rise United Church of Christ in Perinton and remained there for 25 years.  She also volunteered there as the Chairman of Christian Education.  Retail was in her blood, and she worked for Sibley’s Department Store for many years as a sales associate.  

Active in the First Baptist Church in Fairport, Connie chaired the committee that rewrote the church’s constitution, participated in the church membership drive committee and weekly social events. Along with Bob, they were often referred to as the “heart and soul” of that church.

A great historian, she delved into the lineage of the Fowler family, tracing it back to the Mayflower settlers. She loved shopping and collecting antiques, a passion she inherited from her grandfather, A.V. Fowler.  She spent years recreating that grandfather’s home in miniature form, decorating it for each holiday with her grandchildren and even displaying it at the Seymour Library in Brockport.  She was also a long-standing member of The Daughters of the American Revolution.

Connie was a compassionate and generous lady who put family and friends before herself, always welcoming people into her home, ready and willing to lend a hand or bake a pie for any occasion. Of all the positions and roles she held throughout her life, none was more important to her than that of a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was incredibly proud of her family lineage and the family that she and Bob created.  Her family adored her.

The celebration of Connie’s life will be held at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450): visitation on Tuesday, May 28, 10am to 12pm with services immediately following. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery (4988 Lake Road N, Brockport, NY 14420) at 2pm.