Published in the October 19, 2018 edition

MELROSE — Constance M. (Leving) “Connie” Rand, 86, longtime resident of Melrose, died peacefully, Wednesday October 10, 2018 with her family by her side.

Connie was born in Melrose, the youngest of five children of the late Leonard and Theresa (Grassie) Leving. Connie spent many summers in Cohasset as a child and later enjoyed summers on the Parker River in Newbury. She was a graduate of Melrose High, class of 1950, where she was a majorette.

She worked many years for a local ophthalmology practice and volunteered at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. She attended Melrose Highlands Congregational Church where she was a member of the Woman’s Guild.

She dearly loved her family and was active in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, baking, reading, and painting.

Connie is the beloved wife of the late Robert L. Rand with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Robert Rand of Rowley, Lisa Bernardino and her husband Mark of Georgetown, David Rand of Georgetown, Dean Rand of Rowley, and Steven Rand and his wife Laura of Avon. Dear sister of Leonard Leving, Jr. of California, Ronald Leving and his wife Corinne of Littleton, the late Marylen Leving, and Alma MacIver and her husband Harold. Proud grandmother of Jessica Benner and her husband John, Amanda Gervais and her husband Ryan, Isabella Bernardino, Cory Rand, Britney Rand, Jake Rand, Nicholas Rand, and Christopher Rand. Loving great-grandmother of Quinn Benner and Charlie Benner.

Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Connie’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Oct. 29 from 9-10 a.m., with her funeral service celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

For online tribute and directions: RobinsonFuneralHome.com