Constance E. (St. Laurent) Kretschmar, 90, of Rochester, passed away on Monday, January 20th, at Wentworth Douglass Hospital after a short illness.

Connie was born on January 16th, 1935, and was married to Arnold Kretschmar. Their 59th anniversary would have been on February 18th. She is survived by her husband, Arnie, and six children: David Kretschmar and his wife Heather; Valerie Russell and her husband Todd; Patricia Kretschmar, Greg Kretschmar and his wife Valerie; Terri Fabrizio and her husband Michael, and Sharon Dutkowski and her husband, Bill. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Romeo and Alice St. Laurent of Somersworth, and two brothers, Ronald and Richard of Dover, NH, and Conway, NH, as well as a great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons.

During her life, Connie attended Somersworth Schools and graduated from Somersworth High in 1953. She was later employed by General Electric of Somersworth, Foster's Daily Democrat, Dr Lionel Bergeron, the Party & Bridal Center, and by Somersworth High School as a secretary in the Vocational Department and then the Vice Principal's office. But the job Connie loved most – was being a mother to her six children, a grandmother to 18 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to 22 great-grandchildren!

She spent most of her life in Somersworth, NH, a city she was devoted to serving in various community organizations. She volunteered for years with the American Red Cross, Project Bridges, The Girl Scouts of America, Frisbee Memorial Hospital's Ladies Auxiliary, the planning committee for the Somersworth Millenium New Years Eve Celebration and Pride Week, as well as the 250th Celebration of the City of Somersworth. In her later years, her passion project became volunteering for the Summersworth Historical Museum. Greeting old friends every Sunday became one of the highlights of each week.

In 2001, Connie received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Somersworth Chamber of Commerce.

Connie was well known throughout the city of Somersworth as someone who was always willing to lend a hand and greet you with a warm smile or hug. Her infectious kindness and sense of humor always put people at ease. Through her many volunteer efforts and working with students in high school, Connie's caring personality impacted countless people that will be felt for decades. She made every friend her children brought home feel like part of the family. That was Connie's gift. She did that for everyone. And she loved nothing more than being surrounded by her family and friends. Her legacy of kindness and community has enriched all who knew her.

A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, January 25th, at St Martin's Church in Somersworth at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Lydia's House of Hope in Somersworth – at https://lydiashousenh.org