Constance Kaufman Blades

Constance Kaufman Blades, 87, of Easton, Maryland, died peacefully in her sleep at Dixon House Assisted Living on May 23, 2025. Connie was born in Easton on January 31, 1938. She was the daughter of Herbert O. Kaufman and Evelyn Harrington Kaufman of Centreville. She graduated from Centreville High School in 1955 and from Macqueen Gibbs Willis School of Nursing in 1958. As a registered nurse, she worked in obstetrics and gynecology and then in the recovery room at Memorial Hospital in Easton. She married Robert E. Blades in 1959, and they enjoyed 57 amazing years together. She was preceded in death by her husband (2016) and her parents. While raising her two children, Amy and Craig, she worked at Memorial Hospital as a registered nurse and also trained the hospital’s volunteer candy stripers. Connie taught nursing briefly for the vocational LPN program at St. Michaels High School. Once her children got older, she worked in a cardiologist’s office, and for the Caroline County Health Department with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Connie also worked at William Hill Manor, Delmarva Foundation, and in Quality Assurance for Shore Health System. Later, she worked for a dermatologist in Easton before retiring in 2003. She was proud to be a nurse, and her love of nursing showed in all aspects of her life. As a young mother, Connie taught Sunday School at St. Mark’s UMC and later volunteered at Talbot Hospice. She enjoyed playing bridge, scrapbooking, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved dogs. She was a consummate hostess and cook. She loved traveling all over the world with her husband, family, and friends. Favorite trips included Alaska, Bermuda, England, Italy, the Mediterranean, Paris, Russia, and the American West. Although Connie loved travel, she loved coming back to her home on the Eastern Shore. Her compassion shone as a nurturing mother and caring wife and extended to her grandchildren, great-grandchild, and everyone she met. Connie will be remembered for her beautiful auburn hair, her lovely singing voice, and her warm smile. She loved sports and followed the Orioles religiously. And she loved her chocolate and an occasional Dairy Queen Blizzard. Connie is survived by her daughter Amelia Blades Steward (Eric) of Easton, her son Charles Craig Blades of Richmond, her sister Patti K. Willis (Craig) of St. Michaels, and her sister-in-law Barbara B. Dryden (Con) of Salisbury. She is also survived by her grandchildren William H. Blades (Paige), Caroline B. Fleming (Zane), Andrew G. Dorbin (Megan), Conner S. Dorbin, and her great-granddaughter Andie Marie Dorbin, several nieces and a nephew, and a large extended family. Many thanks to the staff of Dixon House for the wonderful care she received over the last few months. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s UMC in Easton with a luncheon with family and friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a private burial for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either St. Mark’s UMC Scholarship Fund, 100 Peachblossom Road, Easton, Maryland 21601 or Dixon House, 108 North Higgins Street, Easton, Maryland 21601.

Constance Kaufman Blades

January 31, 1938 - May 23, 2025