Jane Bryan Pugh Constantine

Published 6:15 pm Monday, June 13, 2016

Jane Bryan Pugh Constantine, age 92, died on June 12, 2016, at the home of Tom and Anne Barefoot in Charlotte, NC. Born in New Bern, NC, on December 30, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Edward Bryan and Elizabeth Fisher Pugh. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Demetrius Constantine and her daughter, Catherine Constantine Cardelli.

Jane attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, then returned to New Bern and worked for her father at Merritt Shoes. It was during this time that she met and fell in love with a young man, James (Jim) Demetrius Constantine, who was stationed at the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. They married in 1945, and moved to New York where Jim managed the family business. They had two children while living there, Jane and Cathy.

Wanting to be back in the south, they returned to New Bern, where their third daughter, Anne, was born. Jane and Jim were happily married for 46 years.

Jane was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving on the altar guild and participating in a church circle group. She was a volunteer at Craven County Hospital, and an active member in the New Bern Historical Society. Her love of the history of downtown New Bern was evident. She was a regular volunteer for many years with the Spring Historic Homes and Gardens Tour. More than anything, Jane delighted in time spent with family and friends. She enjoyed playing bridge, golf, tennis, boating and entertaining in her home. Jane and Jim spent much of their free time on the Trent River, fishing and crabbing with their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed long summer days spent on Atlantic Beach and excursions to Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks. She was a wonderful cook and was always sharing her culinary creations with neighbors, friends and loved ones. After her children were grown, Jane went to work with Tryon Palace, welcoming the tourists and visitors with her southern charm, while giving informative and dynamic tours.

Jane leaves behind to cherish her memory, two daughters, Jane Constantine Barber and husband Dick, of Washington, and Anne Constantine Barefoot and husband Tommy, of Charlotte; 5 grandchildren – Ashley Barber Gaylord and husband Bonner of Raleigh, Shelby Barber Thompson and husband Andrew, of Raleigh, Brooke Mayo Wright and husband John of Jarvisburg, Allison Mayo Legg and husband Joshua of Kitty Hawk and Katherine Anne Barefoot of Charlotte; 7 great-grandchildren – Gigi, Demetri and Mont Gaylord, Poppy and Peaches Wright, Sarah Jane Thompson and Noah Legg; a cousin, Julia Jones Daniels and husband, Frank, of Raleigh, and several cherished nieces and nephews.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jane’s four grandsons-in-law – Bonner Gaylord, Joshua Legg, Andrew Thompson and John Wright. The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care and family support given by Hospice of Union County.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 2:00pm at Christ Episcopal Church with burial immediately following at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 320 Pollock St., New Bern, NC 28560 or Tryon Palace, Attention: Accounting, P.O. Box 1007, New Bern, NC 28560.

Arrangements are by Carolina Funeral and Cremation Center in Charlotte and Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory in New Bern. Online condolences may be made at www.cottenfuneralhome.com or www.carolinafuneral.com.