Obituary of Cornelia E. Stangel

Cornelia "Connie" Elizabeth Brooks Stangel, passed away on February 14, 2023 at the Sunset Lake Care Center, Liberty, NY. Connie was born in Equinunk, PA on August 23, 1924 to parents Lewis Brooks and Adeline Perry Brooks, of Ellenville, NY.

Connie attended Ellenville Elementary School, Ellenville High School and Syracuse University where she was a member of Delta Cappa Gamma sorority, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She later received her master's degree in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz.

In addition to being a wife, and mother to five children, Connie was a kindergarten teacher in the Fallsburg Central School District for 29 years. On June 26, 1948 she married Harold Paul Stangel, her husband of 73 years who preceded her in death on November 20, 2021. She was a wonderful cook, especially her pies, a jitterbug dancer, seamstress, quilter of over 200 quilts and innumerable baby quilts and even made barn quilts. She was an artist, a singer, piano player, a crafter and a jack of all trades who could even cane chairs. She was faster than most normal people and could do things in half the time it took most others. She had a voice that could call the kids home for dinner from over half a mile away but only used it outdoors. She was always ready to have a party and to celebrate her family's successes. She practiced unconditional love but was always there to remind you when you strayed. She was an active member of the Ellenville Methodist Church and later the Grahamsville Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Calico Geese Quilters and taught beginning quilters. She is a member of the New York State Quilters Hall of Fame. She had made hundreds of baby quilts and gave them to those that needed them through many different organizations for children's needs. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, who will be missed deeply and fondly remembered for her fearless spirit.

Connie had an unending amount of energy that she shared with her family, friends and coworkers, which earned her the nickname "The Energizer Bunny". When she was in the care center all of her energy earned her the name as "The Jumping Bean". She was not one to stay in a chair or bed for very long if she decided to get up and go at any hour of the day or night. She was strong and determined. Tough doesn't begin to describe her. If you knew Connie you know that whenever you are faced with a tough situation and a huge task, never say "I can't do that" always say "I'll try to do that" , you will never know what you are capable of doing unless you at least try. Have some spunk and sass and just keep trying like Connie did until she moved on to the other side.

She is survived by her brother Robert Perry; daughter Christina Gage; and sons David, Peter and James Stangel; her grandchildren Caitlin Batchelor and Matthew Stangel; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Connie was preceded in death by her sister Alice Dixon and daughter Kathleen Stangel and sister-in-law Rita Cerato; and daughter-in-law Carol Stangel.

Connie's family requests that you wear vibrant colors to celebrate Connie's life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Connie's name can be made to the ALS Foundation or to a charity of one's own choice.

This will be a quilt show for Connie, if she helped you with a sewing project please bring it and share your story with the family and others.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7pm on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 18th at Grahamsville United Methodist Church, Main Street, Grahamsville, NY 12740. Fellowship gathering will follow immediately at the church hall.

Arrangements under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com