Concetta Schoen

Concetta (Connie, Cuch) Infelise Schoen died Monday July 4th at Marywood, the Benedictine Health Center.  Comforting her were her daughter, sisters, husband and son-in-law.

Connie was born in Kinney Minnesota on June 13, 1929 to Angelo and Domenica (Serrano) Infelise. She grew up in Hibbing graduating from Hibbing High School in 1947 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Dakota.

Her first job was in high school, which she described with tongue-in-cheek, as a “call girl” for the Great Northern Railroad.  The task was, however, to telephone track men to get out of bed and get to work. After college she worked in Austin, Minnesota as a social worker, director of probation and parole for female offenders for the State of Minnesota, volunteer coordinator at the then Rochester State Hospital and later at the Sauk Centre Minnesota State Girls correctional institution.

Connie was subjected to her husband Ken’s passion for sailing. On their living room couch is a pillow inscribed with “I love my husband but I hate that damn boat!” Nonetheless she spent many days and nights on the damn thing over the 40 years they owned bigger and bigger boats. And even going beyond, chartering sailboats in the Caribbean. She probably would admit    their many wonderful and memorable times on board with family and friends. Her culinary skills added much to the boating but especially to the family’s quality of life each day. She was a master in the kitchen.

It was her caring, warm welcoming personality that distinguished her, a quality she possessed from childhood and was recognized by fellow students in their sophomore year at Hibbing High electing her as the most popular student. The basis for that accolade was being the most courteous, most charming, most friendly, best pal, neatest and best vocabulary - characteristics that remained throughout her life.

During their 55 years of marriage she and the family moved several times from Rochester, MN, Sauk Center, Stillwater, and Brooklyn NY for nearly 20 years, St Paul and finally Duluth since 1997. Single handed with each move she created a home of beauty with her decorating skills, artwork selection, and furnishing. She loved flowers especially yellow roses.

With each move Connie became active in the community as a member of the AAUW, book clubs, chair of the Community Committee for the Brooklyn Museum, a major fund raising arm of the museum. In Duluth she joined the Women’s Club playing bridge and enjoying their array of social events.  She was a member the Board of Director of First Witness Child Advocacy Center and of WDSE, channel 8 public television.  It was the onset of Lewy Body Dementia three years ago that curtailed her community involvement although her involvement with friends continued almost to the end.

She is survived by her husband Ken, her daughter Carrie (Danyll) Foix, her sisters Judy Bonovetz, Joan Murray, her brother Frank Infelise and nieces and nephews. Ken and Connie’s son David died of cancer in 2004.

Visitation will be held on Friday July 15, 2016 from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM Memorial Service in the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior St. Duluth.   In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to the Kenneth and Concetta Schoen Scholarship Fund (Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation).  The fund provides assistance for students with potential from the public high schools of Duluth.   Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.  218-727-3555.  600 E. 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805.