Constance Mae Chandler

Constance Mae Moore Chandler ("Connie") was born on December 16, 1921, in Los Angeles, California, where she was raised by her parents Charles and Gladys Moore. She was the middle child of three sister, Patricia Mary Moore Erskine, her older sister who died in 1977 at the age of 57, and Bernice Enid Moore, her younger sister who died in 2006 at the age of 83. Connie had a variety of interesting and colorful photographed Rosie the Riveters during World War II, and finally as an owner and corporate presided of a small craft boat yard in San Pedro, California (one of a few women in the U.S. to do so).

Connie died on Wednesday evening, February 15, 2017 at the glorious of age of 95 at her home, just as she wanted, where she arrived that afternoon from a brief hospital stay. She died from a stroke while she was resting, surrounded by her loved ones.

Connie is survived by five of her six nieces and nephews (Terry Donhoff, Hope Smith, Jennifer, Cathy, and Allan Erskine; Larry Wright, deceased), by the loving spouses and partners of four of her nieces and nephews (Ron Donhoff, Randy Smith, Susan Hostler Erskine and Wayne Ewing), by six great nieces and nephews (Chris Wright, Debbie Howald, Daniel Smith, Megan Hawk, and Jessica and Savannah Erskine) and their loving spouses (Christy Wright, Paul Howald, Leila Smith, and Cory Hawk), and by six great great nieces and nephews (Brand and Canada Wright, Carolyn and Lily Howard, Cadence Hawk and Scout Smith).

Connie was married in Quantico, Virginia, in 1946 on Quantico Marine Base to the love of her life and the Quarter Master of the Base, Paul G Chandler, a highly-decorated career U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. who died in 1974. The had one son, James Ralph Chandler who died at the age of 57 in 2006. Connie and her husband bought a small craft boat yard in San Pedro in 1962 known as Wilmington Marine Service, Inc. which would be their next life adventure and family business after her husband retired from his second career as a vice-president of North American Aviation in 1964. When her husband fell ill later in life, he asked Connie to take on his position as president of the corporation to run the boat yard which she did from 1974 until she sold the yard and retired at the age of 76. They enjoyed raising their many dogs over the years, and going often to Catalina Island with her family and friends on one of their power boats which was named after Connie, the Connie Mae.

Connie loved much, and was much loved. She generously touch many people's lives. As her great niece Megan said recently, "She was an inspiration to what a woman should be...strong, courageous, and full of integrity." Her funeral service will be a private service for family and friends at Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.