Constance S. St Clair, 86, a longtime New England antiques dealer, died December 24, 2009, following a long and courageous battle with complications from surgery.

Constance was born January 1, 1923, in Laconia, where she resided most of her life. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, she joined the US Navy during World War II and served as a WAVE until the end of the war.

After the war ended, she returned to Laconia where she met and married her husband, Richard H. St Clair, and raised a family of five children. Constance and Richard founded and operated five retail stores within the state of New Hampshire from the 1950s to 1970s. Most notable were Hathaway House in Laconia and The Old Country Store in Moultonboro.

The couple went on to find additional success in the antiques industry as Hathaway House Antiques and Constance S. St Clair Antiques. Starting in the 1980s, they exhibited in many antiques shows throughout the United States. They were a fixture at many of the top shows, including Wendy’s New York City Armory Show, the Naples Art & Antique Show, the Cincinnati Antiques Festival and many others. They were well known for their fine silver and period furniture pieces.

Constance had a great love and knowledge for antiques staring back in the 1950s. She had been involved with many wonderful collections over the years. She had a great eye for spotting the unusual and a natural flair for display. She was a generous, courageous and considerate woman and will be deeply missed.

Constance leaves her devoted husband of 61 years, Richard, sons Richard T. St Clair of Pensacola, Fla., and Charles G. St Clair of Laconia; daughters Sandra Nauman of Sanford, Maine, Nicole Piscopo, of Sanbornton, N.H., and Cindi St Clair of Boston, as well as seven grandchildren.

Donations in Constance’s memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 6 Chenell Drive, Suite 260, Concord NH 03301; 800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org .