Obituary of Constance Hjerpe Eng

Constance Christine Hjerpe Eng of Darien, CT, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 8. She was born in Riverside, CA to Reverend Theodore Aaron Johanson Hjerpe and Edith Amalia Martenson Hjerpe on March 4, 1923. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Dr. Gunnar O. Eng, who passed away in 1992. Connie, as she was affectionately known, was raised in the Boston area, including Roslindale and Belmont. She graduated from Upsala College in 1945, where she majored in Biology and English. Following graduation, she worked as a lab assistant to Dr. Sabin on the polio vaccine at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, in research labs at MIT, Yale University Medical School, and Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus. She met Gunnar briefly while at Upsala and later at Yale Medical School. They married in 1948. While Gunnar finished his medical training and served in the air Force, they had three children and lived in Columbus, OH; New Haven, CT; San Antonio, TX; and the Boston area. Gunnar established his medical practice in Stamford; they settled in Darien in 1954 and had two more children. Connie was a leader both in her community and her church. She volunteered at the Darien Community Association, where she held numerous leadership positions, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she served as a member of WELCA, Lois Circle, the Church Council, and the choir, and the Darien public schools, to mention a few. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the Stamford Yacht Club, and the Spendthrift Investment Club. Connie also gave of her time to Stamford Hospital and the Red Cross blood mobile. Always ready to help out a friend or neighbor in need, she will be sorely missed by her family, friends and the numerous lives she touched. Connie and Gunnar loved to travel, which included trips cross-country, as well as Russia, Sweden (to visit relatives), Italy, Switzerland, among others. After Gunnar’s death, Connie went on to travel to Antarctica, follow Martin Luther’s history in Europe, and visited Africa, Australia and Thailand. She loved learning and living, and was willing to give anything a try. Connie was a gifted artisan, and loved to paint, knit, and decoupage. In addition to her husband, Connie was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Adele Hjerpe Womer. She is survived by her five children: Christine Eng Leventhal (Peter) of Wilton; Gunnar Eng of Brentwood, TN; Deborah Eng Kielsmeier (James) of St. Paul, MN; Jeffrey Eng (Susan) of Darien; and Judith Eng Tolk (Michael) of Dublin, OH; eight grandchildren: Amy, Nicholas and Jonathan Leventhal, Sarah Kielsmeier-Jones; Christina, and Lauren Kielsmeier, Kristofer Eng, and John Eng; one niece, Karen Berns of Monrovia, CA and two nephews, Bruce Womer of Burlington, VT and Martin Womer of Saco, ME. Calling hours will be Friday, May 11 from 5 – 8 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien. The service will be Saturday, May 12, 2:30 PM at St. John Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford with Rev. Dr. Scott Harris and Rev. Deborah Kielsmeier officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie’s name to St. John Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820