Constance Louise Finnerty

Constance “Connie” Louise Finnerty of Roanoke, VA and St. Petersburg, FL passed away on May 29th. She courageously fought breast cancer for years never losing hope or faith. Her family is heart-broken yet so proud of her strength. While it is unfathomable to imagine life without her, there is solace that she has transitioned to Heaven and is in peace. Connie, daughter of the late Orvil and Mayetta Merrill, was born in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, WV. She went on to complete Undergraduate work and a Master’s Degree from West Virginia University and Radford University. She met her husband, and love of her life, John Finnerty, while attending WVU. Connie was an elementary school teacher in Roanoke County until she retired after 30 years of service. Her passionate dedication to teaching was well known and she impacted the lives of countless students. She was always there to help in and outside of the classroom and was honored with the Roanoke County Teacher of the Year Award. Connie is survived by her husband John Finnerty. They would have celebrated their 47th Anniversary in August. She is also survived by her three children, Lisa Finnerty Lester and husband, Brian Lester, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Christina Finnerty Feather and her husband Scott Feather, of Tampa, FL and son, John Finnerty of Roanoke, VA. She is and will always be the beloved Grammie to her three grandchildren, Reeghan Lester, Maggie and Samantha Feather. She is blessed to have been raised in a large and loving family and is also survived by her brothers Steve Merrill and his wife Karen of Parkersburg, WV, Charles Merrill and wife Nancy of Parkersburg, WV and sister, Vikki Reus and husband Jack of Quinton, VA and is preceded in death by her older brother, David Merrill. She was adored by thirteen nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. A special thank you to her niece Kelly Merrill Sizemore for her unwavering support. Viewings will be held on June 4th and June 5th, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Oakey’s South Chapel, Roanoke, VA. A Memorial service will be held on June 6th at 10am at the funeral home. A viewing will also be held in Parkersburg, WV at Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, 10am-1pm on Thursday, June 7th. A private family burial will follow in the Merrill Family Cemetery. We appreciate the outpouring of support and love from family and friends. Connie touched the lives of many and lived life well. Above all she loved God and her family. She will continue to live in our hearts and we will do our best to honor her memory every day. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation applied to triple-negative breast cancer research.