Constance “Connie” Ann Raney

Loudon, NH – Constance “Connie” Ann Raney (Wells), age 89, of Loudon NH, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at her bedside.

Connie was born in Concord, NH on January 19th, 1937, to the late Guy and Gladys Wells. She was the beloved wife of Robert “Bob” Raney for 63 wonderful years, with whom she shared three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren with. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Connie grew up on a working farm in Loudon, NH with her family. She then worked as a hairdresser at the Merrimack County Nursing Home where she retired after 21 years of service. In her free time, Connie enjoyed adventures, sightseeing, snowmobiling, and camping with her husband, friends, and family – most notably her time spent in the White Mountains of NH, and Totem Pole Campground on Lake Ossipee. She took her grandchildren fishing, looked forward to beach days with her family, and enjoyed basking in the sun on her porch. Connie was a lover of animals from wildlife, to farm animals, to dogs and cats. She also loved music – singing, and dancing; doing puzzles; watching Hallmark movies and Boston sports; and shopping. She was a socializer, and looked forward to events like Loudon Old Home Day, her great grandchildren’s birthday parties, and other family gatherings and holidays, especially Christmas. Connie was a dedicated member of the Loudon “Young At Heart” group, and also volunteered on the Loudon Cate Van, a service that helped to connect community members with essential services. Connie was a radiant, cheerful spirit with a knack for being silly and making people laugh, especially her family, who will miss her deeply.

In addition to her loving husband, Connie leaves behind her children, Scott Raney of Hopkinton, NH, Michelle Raney Benson and husband Peter Benson of Hopkinton, NH, and Bryant Raney and wife Denise Walker Raney of Loudon, NH; her grandchildren, Kaylee Raney Henriksen and husband Joshua Henriksen of Hopkinton, NH, Kelsie Benson Stuart and husband Collin Stuart of Acton, ME, Kendall Benson of South Portland, ME, Courtney Benson Karanasios and husband Tyler Karanasios of Hopkinton, NH, Peter Scott Benson II and wife Emma Benson of Hopkinton, NH, Hayden Benson and wife Nicole Benson of Jackson, WY, Steven Benson of Hopkinton NH, and Jacob Raney of Lake Tahoe; her great grandchildren Jaela Brown, Sylus Henriksen, Lincoln Stuart, Fletcher Stuart, Calvin Stuart, Wells Karanasios, Adley Benson, Raney Benson, and Sawyer Benson; many nieces and nephews; and her cherished dog, Duke. As Connie would always say, “Keep waving.”

Connie was predeceased by her parents and her four brothers: Omar “Smokey” Cochran, Russell Cochran, Edward Wells, and Arthur Wells.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 7th at 10:00 am at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH. The Veterans Cemetery requests that guests arrive 15 minutes early. A private celebration of life will take place at the home of Connie and Bob following the ceremony.

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What May Day Strong is, why protests happen on May 1, and where rallies are planned locally

Demonstrations are taking place across the country today, including in New Jersey and New York City, as May Day protests return May 1, with organizers citing opposition to policies under President Donald Trump, billionaires, and economic policies they say favor the wealthy over the working class. Here’s why protests are happening today — and where rallies are planned locally.

The protests are part of May Day Strong, a loosely organized national call for rallies, walkouts and demonstrations on May 1. Organizers say thousands of events are planned nationwide, including marches, rallies and school or workplace walkouts, as part of what they describe as a “no work, no school” day of action. Protests are expected throughout the day and this weekend in major cities, including New York City, and across North Jersey and the entire state.

May 1, known as International Workers’ Day, is not a federal holiday in the U.S., but May Day protests have been held in the U.S. for decades. This year’s demonstrations have gained momentum amid renewed debates over labor rights, immigration enforcement and economic inequality. The return of Trump to the White House and criticism of what protesters describe as outsized influence by billionaires and corporations have helped drive turnout, with tens of thousands expected to participate nationwide. Groups promoting May Day events include organizations such as Indivisible and 50501, which have also been involved in past No Kings protests, though organizers say May Day demonstrations are focused on labor and economic issues rather than a single campaign or slogan.

Why protests happen every May 1

May Day, observed each year on May 1, is recognized internationally as International Workers’ Day, a date rooted in the labor movement and protests dating back to the late 1800s, according to Britannica.

In the United States, May Day is not a federal holiday, but it has increasingly become a focal point for demonstrations in major cities. In recent years, protests held on May 1 have expanded beyond traditional labor issues to include immigration enforcement, economic inequality and broader political concerns, drawing coordinated rallies and marches nationwide.

What is May Day Strong?

May Day Strong is a decentralized national effort calling for rallies, walkouts and demonstrations on May 1 under the slogan “No work. No school. No shopping.” The movement brings together labor unions, immigrant rights groups and grassroots organizers, rather than operating under a single national leader or organization.

Organizers describe the day as a coordinated action meant to highlight worker rights, immigration enforcement and economic inequality, urging participants to step away from jobs and classrooms to draw attention to what they say are systems favoring corporations and the wealthy.

Why Trump and billionaires are a focus of protests this year

Organizers say this year’s May Day protests are being driven in part by opposition to policies under President Donald Trump and what they describe as the growing influence of billionaires and corporations. They argue those policies have benefited the wealthy, while leaving many workers struggling with rising costs and fewer protections.