Consetta "Connie" Marie Scotchie

Long-time Asheville resident and business woman Consetta Marie Scotchie (nee Bruno) died on June 25, 2024. Mrs. Scotchie was 92.

Consetta (Connie) was born on Nov. 11, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, the first of three daughters born to Julius and Vera Bruno, both of whom had immigrated from Montaguto, Italy. She attended Austintown Fitch High School, where she met her future husband, Andrew (Andy) Albert Scotchie, also of Austintown.

The high school sweethearts married in 1953, beginning a 65-year-long marriage. As a Naval officer and engineer, Andy Scotchie and his growing family lived in Portsmouth and Roanoke, VA, Mayfield Heights, OH, and Glendora, CA before settling in Asheville in 1962. The couple had six children, all of whom graduated from the Asheville City Schools system and completed college degrees.

For seven decades, Mrs. Scotchie was a familiar and vivacious presence in Asheville, beloved by all who knew her. When her children were young, she found time to volunteer at her church and with Meals on Wheels. Then, in 1980, a neighbor sold them a fledgling business—the Mountain Valley Water distributorship, which at the time consisted of a station wagon as the delivery vehicle and a handful of customers. This began Connie’s transformation from mother to businesswoman and president of the company. Connie and Andy worked side by side to grow this business that now employs 18 Ashevillians. They also kept it family-run: their youngest daughter, Angela, was the first employee, and then their son Tom joined the business in the late 90’s. But Connie was the heart and soul of Mountain Valley Water. She nurtured longtime friendships with every customer. They loved her and she loved them.

Connie was also an active member of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church—where many of her children went to school—and later attended St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville.

Mrs. Scotchie enjoyed the company of many cats and dogs. They were integral and adored family members. Every evening, she cooked for her pets, as she cooked for her children. Connie was the premier dog-walker in the Grace neighborhood of North Asheville, where she struck up friendships with fellow canine lovers. She and Andy also took in Tom’s two horses, Zip and Flash, giving them loving homes on their Barnardsville farm. The couple expressed their love of animals in many ways, including by being longtime supporters of animal sanctuaries.

Connie also loved gardening. Being a descendant of Italian farmers, it literally was in her blood to get her hands in the soil and grow beautiful plants and vegetables. Her children grew up gardening alongside her. Connie also was an avid reader and believed in the 'little things' to be the source of happiness, joy, and serendipity! Connie imparted her wonder in the natural world’s everyday beauty and her great love of all life to her children and the lovely people fortunate to cross her path.

Mrs. Scotchie was predeceased by her husband, Andy, by her son, Thomas, and her sister, Diane Gittlin. She is survived by five children: Virginia of Columbia, SC, Joseph of Bayside, NY, Marybeth of Anchorage, AK, Carolyn of Greensboro, NC, Angela of Asheville, plus 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members, including her youngest sister Rosemary Bruno.

Four of Mrs. Scotchie’s children—Virginia, Joseph, Marybeth, and Carolyn—served in the teaching profession in the Carolinas, Alaska, and New York. Virginia, Joseph, and Marybeth are also authors with 17 books between them--for Mrs. Scotchie, this is an accomplishment without precedent in the annals of parenting, American or otherwise. All of her children’s successes in their careers and families gave Connie great joy.

A memorial service will be held later in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Asheville Humane Society https://www.ashevillehumane.org and Brother Wolf https://www.bwar.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Consetta "Connie" Marie Scotchie, please visit our floral store.