Constance Claire Case (Tippy)

Constance Claire Case (Tippy) died peacefully at home on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, surrounded by the people she loved. She was 88 years old.

A person of deep faith, boundless creativity, and a profound love for her family, Tippy lived a life defined by service, curiosity, and the joy she found in making things beautiful. Whether quilting, painting, gardening, rug hooking, cooking, or simply gathering those she loved around her, she brought imagination and passion to everything she did.

Tippy was born on Dec. 16, 1937, in Forest Hills, N.Y. to Constance (nee D’Emo) and Thomas K. Krug. The oldest of eight children, she grew up in a large family, a role that helped shape her lifelong devotion to those around her. After graduating from high school she attended Mary Mount College in New York.

On July 5, 1958, she married the love of her life, Gerard S. Case, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Cutchogue. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, and community, raising three children. Tippy and Jerry lived in Centerport, N.Y. from 1966 to 1987, Fort Salonga, N.Y. from 1987 to 1997, and ultimately made Southold their home 29 years ago.

Tippy was a devoted mother who raised her three children while also working at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Centerport. Her commitment to helping others led her back to school in 1980. She graduated from Stony Brook University in 1983 with a master’s degree in social work, embarking on a career devoted to supporting others. She worked as a social worker for AHRC Long Island and later at Central General Hospital in Plainview, now known as Plainview Hospital.

Faith was central to Tippy’s life. A member of Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Southold, she served on the Pastoral Council and as a Eucharistic Minister. Together, she and Jerry served the Pre-Cana Ministry, Consolation Ministry, and Family Life Board of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Her faith was reflected in her love of the church and her care for others.

Tippy’s creative spirit was one of the many things that made her extraordinary. An award-winning quilter, she was also a painter, avid gardener, rug hooker, creative cook, and enthusiastic reader. She found joy in learning, creating, and sharing her gifts with others. She was a member of the Eastern Long Island Quilters Guild and served on the Board of Trustees of the Southold Historical Society, contributing her time and talents to the community she so loved.

Tippy will be remembered for her passionate love, her generous heart, her creativity, and the many ways she made a difference in the lives of her family, friends, and community. Her legacy lives on in the people she nurtured, the traditions she passed down, and the beauty she created throughout her life.

Predeceased by her beloved husband, Jerry, and her sister, Virginia Johnson, Tippy is survived by her children, Constance Ellis (Scott) of Southold, Andrew Case (Patricia) of Greenlawn, N.Y., and Matthew Case (Jennifer) of Carmel, N.Y.; grandchildren Matthew Ellis (Amanda), Jake Ellis, Zachary Ellis (Rachel), and MacKenzie Case; and siblings Clarissa Krug of Hampton, N.J., Lauren Grant (John) of New Suffolk, N.Y., Thomas Krug of Phillipsburg, N.J., Georgiana Kriegsmann of Princeton, N.J., Alison Kaplan (Bruce, dec) of Bolivia, N.C., and Christopher Krug (Sherley) of Fort Plains, N.J., and 19 nephews and nieces.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Southold, officiated by Father Peter Garry. Interment will follow at Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church Cemetery in Southold.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer society are appreciated. Donation forms will be available at the funeral home.

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