Constance S. Kotula, retired school nurse
Constance "Connie” S. Kotula, 86, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. She was born in Pottsville, Pa., Aug. 11, 1937, daughter of the late Louis and Atessica (Yourgal) Stephens.
Connie moved at an early age to Indiana, Pa., where her father, a Sears & Roebuck manager, was transferred. After being educated in the public school system, Connie was trained as a nurse at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, she married John (Jack) R. Kotula with whom she enjoyed 67 years of marriage.
The couple raised two children, John R. Kotula Jr. and Kimberly Ann Ridgek, both of Wilmington. After completing 25 years of school nursing in the Claymont and Brandywine school districts, Connie and Jack retired to Rehoboth Beach and Fort Myers, Fla., where she became a passionate golfer. Connie was proud of being on winning teams at Harbourtown Resort Golf Course, St. Michaels, Md., Maple Dale Country Club, Dover, Heritage Palms Country Club, Fort Myers, and Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Rehoboth Beach.
An excellent cook and seamstress, she leaves behind many pieces of cross-stitch and needlepoint that will long be treasured by her family. Connie was also an avid, lifelong gardener. One of her cherished accomplishments was the development of a program to assist students with disabilities in the Brandywine School District. Although she's been retired for 30 years, she still receives calls from some of the students.
In addition to her husband and her two children, Connie is survived by her grandsons, Peter and Daniel Kotula, both of Wilmington; and daughter-in-law, Karen B. Kotula, all of whom she was extremely proud. She particularly enjoyed following her grandsons' athletic and academic pursuits.
Services for Connie will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunday Breakfast Mission, P.O. Box 352, Wilmington, DE 19899.
Visit Connie’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
