Constance “Connie” Sayles

Constance Sayles, “Connie,” age 92 of North Haledon, and formerly of Hackensack, died on February 14, 2022.

Connie was born in Medford, Massachusetts to Leonard Perkins Sayles and Hazel May Wightman. She moved to New York City just one year after she was born. Upon her completion of fifth grade, she moved to Long Island, where she lived until accepting a teacher position in New Jersey. She lived here until after college when Connie accepted a teaching position in New Jersey.

Connie loved the Lord Jesus with all her heart. While living in New York City, she attended a church where she was part of the choir. Upon retirement, she joined the Hawthorne Gospel Church. She volunteered at the Church’s library and taught 5-year-olds at Vacation Bible School. She also served as a volunteer in a weekly hospital visitation ministry with Star of Hope Ministries in Paterson, NJ. Additionally, she was a member of the Senior Adult Ministry at Hawthorne Gospel Church and also made Salvation bracelets as a part of its ministry outreach.

Connie had a fondness for stuffed animals, especially Vermont teddy bears, and she enjoyed ice cream and cookies. Connie also loved reading, traveling, crocheting, and needlepoint.

Connie taught kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey for over 40 years.  She was the first teacher at the Lincoln Elementary School to be recognized by the State of New Jersey in its Governor/Teacher Recognition Program.  She was recognized for “having made exceptional contributions as a New Jersey Public School teacher in the use of productive classroom climate and rapport with students and the development of feelings of self-worth and love of learning in students."