Constance J. Pillot, 83, of Milesburg, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017. She was the fourth child of the late Patterson and Margaret Miles Holt. She lived her entire life in Milesburg. In the summer of 1950 at Black Moshannon on a blind date she met a tall, handsome young man from Munson named Joe. Connie knew immediately that he was the man for her. She and Joseph J. Pillot were married March 14, 1952, in Harrisburg. As a young wife and mother Connie was active in Little League Auxiliary, Cub Scouts and Wingate PTO. After the sudden death of her beloved husband on April 22, 1969, she devoted herself to raising her young family. Over the years she worked hard and sacrificed many things to provide a good life for her family. She was always in the audience of her children’s varied school events whether it was sports, concerts, plays or ceremonies. She put her children first at every turn.
She was a 1952 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School and was named Miss D.A.R. her senior year. At age 16 Connie began working as a clerk at G.C. Murphy in Bellefonte. Upon high school graduation, she was G.C. Murphy’s district manager’s secretary. Later she served as a clerk for the United States Selective Service Board in their Bellefonte office, as bookkeeper for Valley Building and Supply, Valley Mobile Homes and Valley Trailer and Marine in Milesburg, and lastly, as a secretary for Bald Eagle Area School District, retiring from BEA in 1994 as the library secretary.
Connie was a life-long member of the Milesburg United Methodist Church, a member of the Centre County Association of School Retirees and a member of the Milesburg Bicentennial Committee. She was an avid reader and a terrific cook. There was always room for one more friend, ballplayer, relative or guest at her table. She could whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies in nothing flat. Connie could turn the fewest ingredients into a lovely meal for her family. She was a fan of actor Paul Newman and of the smooth song stylings of singer Eddy Arnold. She had a great sense of humor and was a well-loved co-worker and friend. She would have never admitted it, but she was an inspiration to her family with her steadfast perseverance throughout all of life’s obstacles. Our dear mother will be greatly missed by so many.
From the day her first grandchild was born, she was happiest when surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Connie is survived by her children Margaret Richner, Joseph Pillot (Jayne), Andrew Pillot, Lisa Talarigo, and Susan Knisely (Allan); her grandchildren Leslie Pollard (Brian), Kellie Long , Dana Barnhart (Lester), Michele White (Jeffrey), Joseph Pillot, Mary Pillot, Andrew Pillot, Cora Talarigo, Meg Talarigo and Tony Talarigo, and 9 great-grandchildren, all of Centre County. She is also survived by her brother James A. Holt of Florida and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sons-in-law Ralph “Butch” Richner and Charles Talarigo, her brothers Miles J. Holt and James P. Holt, her sister Patsy L. Swartz and nephews, James Swartz, John Holt and Miles E. Holt.
A public visitation will be held at Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home in Milesburg on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Milesburg United Methodist Church, 303 Turnpike Street, Milesburg, with the Reverends Ronald Baker and Carl Hill officiating. Visitation with the family will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will be at Centre County Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Milesburg United Methodist Church, PO Box 535, Milesburg, PA 16853.
Arrangement are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, 201 Spring Street, Milesburg, Pa. Online condolences may be made at www.deankwetzlerfuneralhome.com.