Constance L. “Connie” Otteni, 78, Kersey

Constance L. “Connie” Otteni, 78, formally of Birch Valley Road, Kersey, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Paoli Hospital.

She was born May 2, 1947, in St. Marys, PA, daughter of the late Robert and Catheryn DeLullo Meyer.  She attended Queen of the World Catholic elementary school and then graduated from Elk County Christian High School in 1965.  Connie went on to obtain her nursing degree from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Erie, PA.

On August 24, 1968, in Queen of the World Church, Connie married the late David E. Otteni, who preceded her in death on May 9, 2022.

Connie is survived by her son, Theodore D. Otteni (Alisa) of Chester Springs, PA; three grandchildren: Garrett, Jacob, and Danylle; daughter-in-law, Melissa Wurm Otteni.  She was the oldest of 12 children in her family. She is survived by four sisters: Mary Wool (Jim) of Jersey Shore, Julia Rollick (Mike) of Byrndale, Barbara Vollmer (Dave) of Kersey, and Annette Agosti of St. Marys; six brothers: Robert Meyer, Jr. (April) of St. Marys, Tom Meyer (Cindy) of St. Marys, Steve Meyer (Lori) of Philipsburg, Andy Meyer (Melissa) of St. Marys, Bill Meyer (Marcy) of St. Marys, and Dean Meyer (Kristin) of Wilcox, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Connie was preceded in death by her son, Terrence “Terry” Otteni on September 3, 2005 and a brother, Richard Meyer (Leah).

She lived south of Buffalo, in North Collins, NY, for 34 years, where she and her husband, a biology teacher, raised their two boys and were very active in their church (Holy Spirit) and their community. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York in 1985, and her Master’s in Public Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, in 1995.

Connie started her nursing career at Tri-County Hospital, in Gowanda, NY, where she worked for 15 years, primarily in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.  She most enjoyed the one-on-one nursing experience in a small town where she was able to get to know her patients and their families over the years.  In 1983 she began the next phase of her profession, as Director of Healthcare Quality Management at South Buffalo Mercy and then St. Joseph hospital in Cheektowaga.  During this time she was a frequent speaker on Healthcare Quality Management at numerous seminars across the United States.  For a time, she was part owner of BCB Associates, presenting at conferences in most states east of the Mississippi.

In 1991, she was recruited by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York to oversee the Quality Management programs.  In 1998 she was promoted to the position of Corporate Vice-President and was responsible for the health of over 500,000 HMO members across NYS from Buffalo to Albany.

In 2002, she retired from BCBSWNY when she and her husband moved back to St. Marys to rejoin the wonderful love of family.  For many years, they shared their time between their homes in PA and Florida.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Queen of the World Church on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, celebrating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home, 169 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 on Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Nurses’ Study Club c/o Eileen Erich, 167 Hemlock Road, St. Marys, PA 15857. 

Online condolences may be offered at  www.lynch-radkowski.com