Constance Vaughn Hamilton

Constance Vaughn (Qualey) Hamilton, better known as Connie, Mom, or Nana to all who knew her, waltzed her way from this life to the next on Wednesday, October 13th, 2021.

Connie was the middle child, born on March 20th, 1925 in Malden, Massachusetts to Charlotte and Edgar Qualey. She was also welcomed by older brother Arthur and was later joined by younger sister, Cynthia.

She met the “luv” of her life, Donald Hamilton in 1942 and they were both immediately smitten with each other. They loved to go dancing and to the skating rink often Their song was Tea for Two, even though neither of them actually cared for tea. When Don went overseas during World War II, they wrote love letters back and forth, which Connie kept for her entire life and enjoyed sharing with everyone. They often signed their letters with “Tea for Two” or “TFT”. She often shared stories of their love and life together and was quite the historian from the perspective of a young war bride.

Connie and Don married two weeks after he returned from World War II on July 7th, 1945. Their first daughter, Charlene, was born in July 1946 and was followed by the birth of their second daughter Donna in August 1948. The Hamilton family packed up and moved to Texas a few months after Donna’s birth in 1948. Their only son Dana was born in November 1950. They moved to Edna Street in Arlington Texas in April of 1952, where Connie quickly became Queen of the neighborhood. Shortly after they moved to Edna, their youngest daughter Diane was born in January 1953 and completed their family. Connie had a knack for making everyone feel welcome and special. Connie and Don hosted parties and BBQs frequently at their home on Edna. They owned a motorboat and would love to go out for midnight swims on the lake and then speed around the lake as fast as they could, just the two of them.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Connie beamed with pride while supporting her four children in their involvement with competitive roller skating. She was also entrenched in the CB Berry PTA and remained close with her friends there for most of her life. Later in her life, Connie enjoyed working with East Arlington Renewal and was recognized for her significant contributions to the program. She was incredibly proud of all their work.

Connie never had eyes for anyone else and after Don passed in 1984, she remained completely devoted to him and spoke lovingly of her sweetheart every day. Theirs was truly a love story for the ages.

She spent the last 40+ years being “Mom” to countless people in the dulcimer community, throughout the city of Arlington, and really, anywhere she met someone new. She was so proud of her four children and bragged on all of them often.

Connie loved telling her family and friends stories of her life, history, and her true “luv”, Don. She was constantly working on a project, be it crocheted tissue boxes, crocheted hangers (which every new mother received), blankets, cards, collecting family stories and history and any other craft you could possibly think of. She loved to generously shower family and friends with gifts and if you knew Connie for more than a hour, you were likely to be on the receiving end of one of her special gifts soon.

She loved music, dancing, and providing food or a bed for her friends and family. Her grandchildren fondly remember years of “silly suppers” at Nana’s house and are now continuing the tradition with their children. One of her favorite activities was going to the Lone Star State Dulcimer Club meetings each month and all the many dulcimer festivals over the years. Connie loved to laugh but nothing could make her smile bigger than a new baby. She had a way with children and shared many “secrets” with her grandchildren and then later her great grandchildren.

Connie was deeply devoted to her family. She was sharp, generous, and had a witty sense of humor right up to the very end. She loved fiercely and never met a stranger because everyone she met was instantly a friend. She was loved by hundreds of people and her loss will leave a giant hole.

She is preceded in death by her one and only “luv”, Don Hamilton, parents Charlotte and Edgar, older brother Arthur, younger sister Cynthia, and son-in-law John Drewry, son-in-law Jack Mumford, grandson Chris Drewry, and grandson-in-law Mike Anderson.

She is survived by her son and three daughters. Daughter Charlene Drewry of Elkhorn, NE; Daughter Donna Hamilton and husband Bill Hughston of Cedar Creek, TX; Son Dana Hamilton and wife Judy of Arlington, TX; and daughter Diane Mumford of Granbury, TX. She is also survived by her grandchildren Shawn Tutt, Adam Drewry, Dinah Claus, Cory Thornhill, Amy Anderson, Robin Davis, Cian Drewry, Daniel Hamilton, Leah McCauley, and Carrie Kim, as well as 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by countless friends both near and far.

Connie specifically requested there was to be no formal funeral or service for her and in true Connie fashion, reiterated that with a giant “NUH UH” during her final days when plans were being discussed. So, in respecting her wishes they are instead hosting a good old fashioned jam session on Friday the 22nd, 2021 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM at International Baptist Church located at 1013 W Park Row Dr, Arlington, TX, which she would have loved and approved of. Everyone who would like to celebrate her life with the family is welcome. Bring an instrument or just yourself and come share stories about Connie and laugh and cry together. Pizza will be provided by the family but if anyone would like to bring potluck items like we always did at the Dulcimer Club Meeting, those are welcome.

In remembrance of Connie Hamilton’s life, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, any charitable donations be made to the Chris Drewry Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 12 Scotch, Turnersville, NJ 08012. This is a scholarship foundation that was established in remembrance of Connie’s second oldest grandson, Chris Drewry, who passed in 1989 and is very dear to the Hamilton family’s heart.