Constance "Connie" Baron, 77, of Newtown died peacefully December 9, at Danbury Hospital, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Her sons, Jonathan Baron and Andrew Baron, both of Grand Junction, Colo., and Matthew Baron, and his wife Valerie, of Sanford, Maine; her grandchildren, Ronald, David, Riley, Esmee, and Emma; and her rescue dog survive her.

Ms Baron was from Pittsburgh, and received her bachelor's degree from New York University and her master's in social work (MSW) from Syracuse University.

She moved to Newtown after her retirement, but before that she lived most of her life in Stamford. There she was an active volunteer in civic affairs and nonprofit organizations including the League of Women Voters and the Jewish Federation of Stamford. She worked at the West Side Community Center and in the Norwalk office of STAR, which served the needs of the developmentally disabled and others.

Ms Baron was best known for her warmth, kindness, and concern for all people and animals. Those who had the privilege of meeting her can testify to the fact that after talking with her, they felt better about themselves. Her loved ones say she was more than smart - she was wise and that she was funny, loved to have fun, and made the world a better place. Everyone who knew her - no matter for how short a time - sheds a tear for the loss of such a wonderful and unique human being.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 12, at 10 am, at the Jowdy Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury. A gathering of friends will be conducted in the future.

As a lifelong pet owner, her favorite charity was Best Friends Animal Society. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of "Connie Baron" may be made to bestfriends.org.