Constance Ann Devanney Obituary (1944

Constance Ann Devanney nee Cawley, was born on the fourth day of the fourth month of 1944 in Montclair, New Jersey to parents, Charles Michael Cawley and Ruth Walsh Cawley and brother Charles. On June 7, 2024, Conny peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Conny spent her early years in New Jersey before heading north to study at Emmanuel College in Boston. There, her life of art and music came into full focus. And what a life it was! Conny began her vocal career during the explosive Boston music scene of the 1960s. She became lead singer for the psychedelic rock band "Ill Wind", living a bohemian life on a tugboat in Boston harbor with former husband, John "Jack" W. Devanney, 3rd. During the '70s she worked with famed Boston promoter Don Law booking bands such as Aerosmith and the J. Geils Band. Conny formed her first company, CoCo Booking, soon after. In the '80s, Conny and dear friend Elena Matthews had the brilliant idea to organize estate sales for the grand old homes of the North Shore. Thus began their company Salemakers, which became well known for sales with style, quality and fair value. Always ready for a challenge, she and Elena unexpectedly opened a wholesale fish business in the '90s. Neither had any experience, but figuring things out on the fly was their specialty and they soon had a thriving enterprise. All the while, Conny continued to explore her artistic creativity, producing many beautiful works. She often collaborated with and was inspired by good friend and noted Marblehead artist Mary Jo McConnell. And, of course, Conny always sang, performing with several jazz and swing bands, sometimes at the very venue she'd delivered fish earlier that day. Bands such as Samoset Jazz, TKO, Artie Cronk and the Dixie Jazz Kings and pianist Jeff Lass became like family. She's been quoted as saying that she felt she was a good singer, not a great singer. But "what I do better than a great singer is, I have a good time!" Anyone who was lucky enough to see her perform can attest to that. Conny will be remembered as a free spirit whose life was imbued with music, art, laughter, impeccable style and a pinch (or more) of mischief and stubbornness. Accompanied by a long line of unforgettable canine companions, she sashayed through life with family and good friends. Those who have preceded her in death include her parents, several aunts and uncles including Sr. Marie Constance Walsh and her beloved big brother, Charles and sister-in-law Julie. Left to remember Conny are family including nephew, Michael and his wife Carol and children Charlie and Emma; niece, Maureen and her husband Michael and children Julia and Tommy, cousins and close friends, including Elena Matthews, Mary Jo McConnell and Todd Flannery. Services for Conny will be held in Camden, Maine later this summer with interment at Sea View Cemetery among the family she loved. "See you later, alligator. In a while, crocodile."2b:[] 2e:{"type":"","url":"