Anyone who was connected to the Levittown Swimming Association as a swimmer, parent or coach from the 1970s through the 1990s will remember Connie Schenck as one of the most important contributors to that special program for children who lived in Levitt houses.

Connie served LSA as a coach of the Parkway Swim Team and the LSA Nassau Conference Swim Team. She also served as the vice-president of the North Division Teams and president of the whole organization. She helped recruit and train young swimmers and helped organize the summer meets held first at Bluegrass Pool and then at Jerusalem Avenue. To those swimmers she was "Aunt Crabbie," the coach who could laugh at anything and could get the swimmers to work to perfection.

Through her efforts, many young swimmers went on to winter swimming and high school and college competition.

Connie was an appointed chaperone for Nassau County at the first Empire State Games Competition. She was also a qualified swim official, working for the high school programs as well as the CYO Programs. Her efforts played a big part in the development of competitive swimming on Long Island.

Three years ago, Connie sold her home in Hicksville and moved to Florida. Sadly, she died from complications of surgery just before Christmas. She is survived by her husband, Steve, daughter, Maureen and son, Steven, both of whom swam with LSA. Aunt Crabbie will always be remembered by those children who found fun and competition in the Levittown Swimming Program.

Lorraine Mund