Celeste L. (Messier) Conlan

Celeste Lorraine Conlan was born February 5, 1957, to Henry Messier and Adrienne (Dubuc) Messier in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
She married her high-school sweetheart, Thomas Carpenter Conlan, on October 22, 1977. They were together for 40 years, married for 35, and raised three sons. Her family was with her in the waning weeks, and she died of cancer on August 7, 2021, watched over by her sons Richard, Dennis, and Gregory.
Celeste was an amazing mother, a warm-hearted friend, and an inspiration to all who knew her. She and Tom met as teenagers and were inseparable, marrying and living near to home as life-long Attleboro residents, discounting the handful of years they lived by Lake Winnecunnet in Norton. Married in 1977, they adventured around New England. They rode together on bikes, paddled together down rivers, and hiked together through woods and up mountains. In 1983 they moved to the house at the end of Grant St in Attleboro, MA, and there they raised their children and lived out their days.
As Tom built out the house and the neighborhood grew up around them, Celeste became deeply involved in whatever her children were doing. When they joined Cub Scouts she became a Den Mother, and within a couple years she was the Cubmaster for the pack. She also joined and became head of the PTA while her children were in school. Whatever she did, she did with aplomb, and worked tirelessly to assure the enjoyment and success not only of her own children, but of all those involved. She and Tom raised their children with a love of life and learning, ever guided by Celeste's optimism.
She did all this while working as a medical assistant in ENT at RIGHA Plainville. In 1994 she discovered she had breast cancer. After overcoming that first trial she poured time into breast cancer awareness and helped counsel women who had been diagnosed. She rose to be a head medical supervisor at Harvard Vanguard, helping to run and improve the system that ensured so many got care. When Tom was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, Celeste was there for him throughout, caring for him in hospice until the end. After his passing she continued on helping to organize, educate, and ensure care for her family and others.
Over the years Celeste, Tom, and the boys often went camping, usually in the mountains but sometimes on beaches. Besides the mountains and the sea, they had trips to Disney World, to NASA, and to Washington DC. She and Tom camped together on their own too, including in Scotland and later while driving across the US together. Celeste always had time for her mother and siblings, the wider family beyond, and was a vibrant addition to any Messier Ladies' Nights. She was particularly close with Tom's parents, William and Eleanor Conlan, enjoying their company and helping to care for them before and after Tom's passing.
When Celeste retired she settled into the role of great aunt and loved spending time with everyone's little ones. Three years ago she was blessed by the arrival of granddaughter Clara and finally donned the title of grandmother. Celeste entertained everyone with her gracious hospitality, with the wide range of LEGOs she's built, and with her good humor. Her cancer took her from us in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 7th. She was 64. Celeste passed away at home in the presence of her sons. She had struggled bravely, enduring years of chemo, maintaining her jubilant humor throughout. To the end she greatly enjoyed the company of her family and friends and the times they had together.
When people think of Celeste they'll think of her carrot cake at parties, of the nuts & bolts she'd hand out during the holidays, of her rad Dodge Challenger, and of her love and smiles. But woven through all that, they will remember her resplendent purple style. Always purple. Whenever you see purple, think of Celeste and her love of life.
She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas Conlan, who passed on October 23, 2012; by her sister Mary Ann Messier, who passed on January 9, 2001; and by her father Henry Messier, who passed on October 30, 1985.
She is survived by her son, Richard Messier Conlan and wife Sera Autumn Galvin, living in Mansfield, MA; her son Dennis Paul Conlan, living in Attleboro, MA; her son, Gregory Thomas Conlan and wife Heather Marie McDougal Conlan with daughter Clara Mae Conlan, living in Acton, ME; her sister Suzette Brousseau and husband Jeff, living in Attleboro, MA; her sister Elise Servant and husband Christopher, living in Attleboro Falls, MA; her brother Charles Messier and wife Patricia, living in Rehoboth, MA; her mother Adrienne Messier, living in Attleboro Falls, MA; her twenty-one nieces and nephews and their significant others; and by a constellation of great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Due to concerns about the ongoing COVID pandemic, services will be private. We regret the necessity of this limitation, because we know that Celeste touched many lives and will be widely missed. We will be making the service available on the Internet via a live stream on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. The video will remain available afterwards.
Instead of flowers, please consider donating to a charity in Celeste's name, or using that money to have a nice moment as a family, or to give an unexpected gift, or in any way that spreads cheer in the world. That happiness would mean so much to her.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200