Obituary of Brenda C. LaConte

Brenda C. LaConte, age 47, of Stratford, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2014 in Bridgeport Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born in Bridgeport on February 7, 1967, she was a daughter of the late Vincent J. and Rita Daddana LaConte. In 1978, Brenda was the first girl to play in the Park City Little League and the 1979 Park City All-Star Team. A 1985 graduate of Frank Scott Bunnell High School, Brenda was the first woman inducted to the Bunnell High School Hall of Fame. She was a three time All-State shortstop and the first ever Bunnell Female All-Stater, having been named to the CHSCA All-State softball team in 1983, 1984 and 1985. She was All-MBIAC in softball as a sophomore and All-CCIAC as a junior and senior. Her senior year saw her named to the New York Daily News All-Star Softball team. She was First Team All-CCIAC in basketball as a junior and was named most valuable player of the CCIAC Tournament her senior year. In the 1985 CCIAC title game, she scored 21 points and led the Lady Bulldogs to a stunning 61-60 victory over Notre Dame of Fairfield. She also lettered in volleyball. Continuing her softball career at the University of Bridgeport, she earned All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team honors in 1987, 1988 and 1989 and led the Purple Knights to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament the last two years. Her 1988 UB Team finished with a 25-9 record and a #13 National Ranking. That year she batted .412 and led the team in RBI’s (21) and homeruns (3). Her 1989 team went 30-13 as she batted .309 and drove in 25 runs. She ended her brilliant career with a .327 batting average and was named to the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association All-Star Team in 1989. She was a member of the 2001-2003 WNFL CT Crush Women’s Football League. Most recently she was employed by FedEx of Stratford with 20 years of dedicated service, a job she truly loved almost as much as her co-workers and customers. Anyone who knew Brenda enjoyed her infectious smile, her quiet sense of humor and her everlasting friendships. Survivors include her brother, Vincent LaConte and two sisters, Sherri LaConte and her twin, Bonnie LaConte McIlhoney, all of Stratford, her partner, Elaine Ceravone and nieces and nephews, Lindsey Rich, Bailey and Raymond McIlhoney and Vincent and Brandy LaConte, who she adored and loved dearly. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, family and friends. A special Thank You to all the wonderful nurses, practitioners, and staff at Oncology Associates of Bridgeport PC, in Fairfield and Tower 7 at Bridgeport Hospital. A Memorial Mass celebrating her life will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 12:00 noon directly in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Entombment will follow in the Garden Mausoleum of St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Brenda LaConte Memorial Fund", c/o Bonnie McIlhoney, P.O. Box 1328, Stratford, CT 06615.