Constance Carmody ... longtime educator; at 90

DOVER - Constance June Carmody, 90, died peacefully on May 13, 2024, following a long illness.

Born on June 16, 1933, to Dr. Charles W. Kinghorn and Elizabeth Kinghorn, Connie grew up in Kittery, Maine. She attended local schools and graduated from Traip Academy. Connie went on to UNH to start her teaching degree. After her sophomore year, she married William Linchey Jr. and they had a son, Steven and a daughter, Sheila. Connie stayed home and raised her children until they were both in school.

Then she studied evenings at UNH over the next five years to complete her teaching degree. Connie was always a very busy and giving person. She and her sister spent many hours caring for their elderly parents. She and Bill were happy to drive the Sisters of Mercy around NH and Massachusetts to visit their families as nuns could not drive or travel without a companion back then. The Sisters at St. Patrick School allowed Connie to substitute teach to gain experience in the classroom. She also taught CCD classes at St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

Once she had her degree, Connie accepted a job teaching six sections of Math per day at St. Patrick School. Later, she taught at the Jones and Brackett Schools on Pease Air Force Base. In 1972, Connie married Richard Carmody, a history teacher at Portsmouth High School. They were both active members in NEA-NH and held offices in the Association of Portsmouth Teachers. Next, Connie was hired by the City of Portsmouth to be the Title 1 Director and she had her office in Little Harbour School. She returned to UNH and completed her Master's Degree in Education. Finally, Connie accepted her last job as the Principal of New Franklin School where she remained for her last 20 years in education. She also enjoyed watching her students, children and grandchildren participate in sports and community activities. Connie retired at the age of 72.

Connie was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She loved making holidays and birthdays special. She was a devoted Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan. She enjoyed playing cards for years with her friends, old and new. She was an avid reader and knitted beautiful Icelandic sweaters. Although she chose not to travel by plane or boat, she always enjoyed day trips to the lake and beach. Connie worked as a volunteer at the Portsmouth Hospital where she gave over 3,500 hours. She regularly attended the Portsmouth School Board and City Council meetings.

Connie is survived by her son, Steven Linchey; daughter, Sheila and her husband Douglas Madsen; grandsons, Brian Pike and David Pike; granddaughter, Emily Linchey; and step-grandsons Kevin (Kalie) Madsen, Brendan (Megan) Madsen and Ryan (Haley) Madsen. She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Barbara Hope and Priscilla Kinghorn, and her husband, Richard Carmody in 2010.