Constance Alford

Beloved wife, mother and sister, Constance “Connie” Niles Alford, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday Nov. 2nd, 2021 after a year-long battle with cancer. Connie was predeceased by her parents Glenn and Mary Jane (Furey) Niles, and her younger brother Tom Niles. She is survived by her husband Kevin Alford, children Adrienne Kinkade (Craig), Dan Millen and Connor-Evin Furey Alford, and grandchildren Jayna and Kyle Kinkade. She leaves behind her siblings; Glenn “Peter” Niles (Nancy), Marguerite Grieco (Brien) and Mary Jane Niles (John Higgins), nephews; Alex Grieco and Aaron, Benjamin and Caleb Niles. She is also mourned by many sisters and brothers in-law and a host of nephews, nieces and one great-grand-nephew on her husband’s side. Connie was born in Elmira NY on October 24, 1953. She graduated from Elmira Free Academy and then attended nursing school at Binghamton General Hospital. Her nursing career began at Binghamton General Hospital where she worked on several floors, eventually becoming a floor supervisor and then moving to the Emergency Department, which was a job she loved. She then finished her 25 year tenure at UHS working in the Clinton Street Family Care clinic. After that she went on to work at Broome Developmental Center where she worked for 13 years in the training and leadership development department. Connie made many lifelong friends in her younger years through the “Big H” softball and bowling teams, once bowling a personal best of 278. She was a student of martial arts for many years and achieved the rank of 1st Dan (black belt) in Tang Soo Do at the age of 35. She continued to study and achieved the rank of second Dan a few years later. Connie was also a certified Reflexologist and had her own practice for 8 years. She enjoyed studying holistic healing practices in addition to her medical training. She became a member of Christ Episcopal Church in the early 90’s and has been an active member in weekly worship ever since, serving a multitude of roles including altar guild, vestry, working in the CHOW pantry and helping to facilitate the creation of Katie’s Closet which provides clothing to anyone in need. Connie retired from nursing in 2015 and spent the last few years enjoying traveling and camping with her husband and being able to spend time with her friends, children and grandchildren. Still needing to be active in retirement, Connie went to work part time as a home health care worker assisting several seniors in the community. Connie was generous in life and even in death, deciding to donate her body to science through the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse in order to help instruct the next generation of medical professionals. The family would like to thank Roswell Park Cancer Institute Department of Gynecological Oncology, Broome Oncology and Lourdes Home Health Care for the wonderful care, treatment and support that was provided to Connie and our family over this past year. Connie was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Episcopal Church. Friends and family are invited to visit on Friday, November 12th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 10 Henry St. Binghamton NY 13901. A memorial service with Eucharist will also be held on Saturday, November 13th, 2021 at 1:00PM at the church with a luncheon to follow. All are welcome.