Obituary of Constance "Connie" McGovern

Constance “Connie” M. (Ceranna) McGovern, 85, of Peabody, died peacefully Thursday February 11, 2021 surrounded by her family at the Kaplan Family Hospice House following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Francis “Frank” “Chickie” T. McGovern. Born and raised in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Nellie E. Ceranna. She was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School, class of 1953. Following high school, she worked as a bookkeeper at the GE until she was married. Once her youngest children entered school she worked as a sales clerk at Jordan Marsh and later retired from Macy’s. She has lived in Peabody for the past 55 years. Connie was all about family. Hosting Sunday dinners for generations, there was always room for one more at her table and no one ever left hungry. Every visitor was welcomed with a smile and offered a cup of coffee with something sweet, usually from D’Orsi’s Bakery. Known for always holding her Aces, she enjoyed playing card games of 500 Rummy and taking trips to Foxwoods. She cherished summer outings, especially those at the beach with extended family, playing a game of cornhole and would fondly remember times spent with cousins as a child at Salisbury beach. She is the loving and devoted mother of 8 children including two sets of twins; Thomas McGovern and his wife Patricia of Beverly, Karen McGovern of Peabody, Gayle Ograbisz and her husband John of Peabody, Kevin McGovern and his wife Julie of Damascus, MD, Diane O’Neill and her husband Jay of Atkinson NH, David McGovern of Peabody, Keith McGovern and his wife Michelle of Beverly and Kelly McGovern of Peabody. She leaves 14 Grandchildren; Kelly McGovern and her fiancé Anthony Nardella of Beverly, Molly McGovern and her fiancé Justin Sharifi of Peabody, Thomas (TJ) McGovern of Beverly, Paul Diefenbach and his wife Tara of Peabody, Michael Diefenbach of Los Angeles, CA, Scott Diefenbach of Salem, Madelyn, Mark and John McGovern all of Damascus MD, Erin O’Neill of Atkinson, NH, Courtney McGovern and her fiancé Andrew Craveiro of Danvers, MA, Annie McGovern of Peabody, Abigail and Jack McGovern of Beverly. She leaves 3 great-grandchildren; Thomas and Declan Diefenbach of Peabody and Emily Craveiro of Danvers. She also leaves a sister Frances Castle along with several cousins and many loving nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 9:00 until 10:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. All attendees are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing as well. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St, Danvers, MA 01923 or to St. John’s Church, 17 R Church St, Peabody, MA 01960.