Constance "Connie" Swanson Boyd

Constance “Connie” Swanson Boyd, 78, of Harrisville, NH, passed away at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH, on September 2, 2026. Her devoted husband, Max, was at her side where he was able to witness the loving care she received. In the last few years, she had suffered from a number of medical issues. Family is eternally grateful for the exceptional tending from MCH. This was a place she cherished, having volunteered there for 16 years in the gift shop.

Connie was born at The Infantile Asylum, Sacred Heart, on Hanover Street in Manchester, NH, on August 28, 1948. This was a precursor to the Catholic Medical Center, now, on the West Side of Manchester. Her parents were Helena (Dobek) and James R. Swanson.

Connie attended parochial schools through the 12th grade, graduating from Immaculata High School and was a parishioner of St. Hedwig Catholic Parish in Manchester. Both were Polish, part of her heritage of which she was very proud. After graduation, Connie attended Graham Junior College in Kenmore Square, Boston, MA.

Following her schooling and returning to Manchester, she started working for P&S Car Rental and Auclair Transportation. While there Connie, who had natural talents for the emerging computer field, ran one of the early IBM System III. At P&S, Connie met her future husband, Max Boyd. They were married on October 10, 1970, and moved around a bit before settling in the Eastview section of Harrisville, NH. There, Connie worked for Sargent Camp in Hancock, NH, for 25 years as a bookkeeper. She also worked for the Town of Harrisville as an aid to the selectmen wearing hats as the secretary and town treasurer as well as the librarian for over 25 years. In 2008 she retired and started her long career volunteering at Monadnock Community Hospital in the gift shop, working there until just before her passing. She enjoyed life in “Eastview Ledges”. Her goats and greyhounds, all the wildlife, especially the birds, and even the primitive lifestyle.

It was a joy in 1984 when Catherine, Connie and Max’s daughter, came along. Connie then had a serious partner to share her enthusiasm with. These things included making floats for the zucchini festival, cruising around in their “55 T-Bird, going out many nights to see particular celestial happenings, raising Monarch caterpillars, Friday night lobsters, leading the Harrisville Girl Scout Troop, officiating weddings, caring for her sugar glider and dormice, and volunteering with Max at St. Joseph School in Keene. For Connie, there was something always exciting on the horizon. She was an exceptionally good cook and was adventurous in the kitchen no matter the cuisine. Even Max’s, sometimes questionable enthusiasm, couldn’t slow her down. She felt proud of being able to handle the challenges of a very scary driveway on their property. If you have been fortunate to visit, you know it is truly a piece of Heaven on Earth and worth the effort even in inclement weather. One of her favorite things was the woodstove and the ability to maintain 80 degrees in an area where she enjoyed much time reading, watching Jeopardy, and conversing with those important to her near and far. Wherever she and Max went, people would come up to Connie thanking her for things that happened 30 years ago regarding her involvement with something they needed in town. She loved the library. Her long stint there included many children’s books programs, and other events. Even in recent years for Halloween, she would get dressed up in costume and hand out candy there. For many years Connie was in her glory, entertaining her Maine family at an annual camp out in the front yard that became a celebration of all things Harrisville. She held a close and special bond with Max’s side of the family that was very much reciprocated.

Connie always seemed to have the ability to draw around her interesting men. Among them were: naturalist John Kulish - a regular at Boyd family gatherings, local fixture Paul Geddes - who Max used to watch carefully for fear he would move in permanently, and Connie’s poetry reading friend, Lester - a gift shop connection.

Connie’s legacy will live on through her husband of nearly 56 years: Max H. Boyd of Harrisville, NH; daughter: Catherine “Kat” Alice Boyd and her husband Nicholas Pickering of Keene, NH; granddaughters that brought her the utmost joy: September Gaskill and Dakota Pickering; sisters: Joyce Keane and her husband Bill, their children Tina and Tim, all of Manchester, NH; and Lyn Lavery and her husband Brian; their children Jake and Matt, all of Natick, MA; sister-in-law: Judith Leavitt of Woolwich, ME; former son-in-law: Robert Gaskill, Jr. of Keene, NH; as well as several nieces and nephews that fondly called her “Cioci”, extended family, and numerous friends.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her infant brother, Joseph.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Connie’s life with a visitation at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH on Sunday, September 27 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A funeral mass to honor her dedicated faith will be held on Monday, September 28 at 11:00 am at Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH. A burial at Island Cemetery in Harrisville, NH, will be held privately at a later date. In keeping with her zest for life, those in attendance are requested to wear bright, gemstone colors, paint your nails flashy, or wear a broach – something she never left home without.

While Connie loved her rustic flower, vegetable, and fruit gardens, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to be made to: Monadnock Community Hospital, 452 Old Street Road, Peterborough, NH 03458; Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458; or the Harrisville Public Library, PO Box 387, Harrisville, NH 03450.

DiLuzio Foley and Fletcher Funeral Homes of Keene, NH, a place Connie was proud to tell everyone that her daughter has been employed at for over 13 years, has been entrusted with her care.