Three Generations of Strong Mothers Raising Strong Daughters

This month, we are pleased to introduce you to three generations of strong women: Connie, Germaine and Alexis. They are mothers, friends, business owners and community members whose strong roots yield beautiful blessings. 

Connie Drumm lives in Newtown Square with her husband Pat. You may have seen Connie mentioned from time to time on social media and in our local newspapers, for her fun and festive seasonal lawn and home decorations. Connie and Pat are often the winners of Marple Newtown’s annual 4th of July and Holiday Lights decorating contests. And if Newtown Square held a competition for Halloween, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day, the winners would undoubtedly be the Drumm household. “Pat and I get cards and notes all the time from people who drive by,” Connie said. “They tell us how much they love all of the work we put into decorating and that they look forward to seeing what we will come up with next.”

Connie’s granddaughter, Alexis Long, said that is just who Connie is. She loves to make others smile and is always the one who brings their family and friends together to celebrate. “Connie, or Fi (pronounced “fee”) as we affectionately call her, is always hosting parties at her house,” said Alexis. “In March, she invited all the ladies in the family to a tea party, to celebrate International Women’s Day.” Connie treated her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters to an afternoon of tea, sandwiches and dessert. She filled her home with beautiful flowers, teapots, balloons and banners. Alexis chuckled when she said, “Fi even set up an area with fancy scarves and jewelry for us to wear for the occasion.” 

Alexis said that one of her favorite days of the year is Newtown Square’s annual holiday tree lighting. “We start the day at Fi’s house, making crafts,” she explained. “Then we head up the street to watch the dance performances, sing Christmas carols and welcome Santa.” Alexis said that they all go back to Fi’s for hot chocolate after the festivities. 

Connie’s daughter, Germaine DePiano, said that when she was growing up, her mother always welcomed everyone into their home. “After my parents divorced, my mom worked very hard to support my four siblings and me,” Germaine said. “And even though she worked a lot of hours to support our family financially, she always made time for us and our friends.” Germaine said that her mother set an incredible example through her tireless work ethic. She was determined to raise her children in a safe community where they would get an excellent education and make lifelong friends.

“I just love this community!” said Connie. “I moved from Drexel Hill to Broomall in 1978, then to Newtown Square in 1997.” Connie graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School and then earned a degree in Interior Design. She spent most of her career working in Broomall as an Admissions Counselor for RETS Electronic Schools. These days, Connie is busy putting her interior design skills to work in her own home and for local clients. 

Germaine, the oldest of Connie’s five children, is also a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School. In fact, Connie and Germaine were the very first mother-daughter duo to graduate from the school. “I remember being interviewed about that by the local newspaper at Germaine’s graduation,” Connie laughed. Germaine went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading. She continued her studies, earned her Master’s degree with a focus on Special Education, and is a 2nd-grade teacher. She raised her daughter Alexis and her son Mark here for the same reasons as her own mother. “Everyone in this community is so friendly and welcoming!” said Germaine. “Over the years, I have witnessed friends, neighbors and even complete strangers come together to help families in need without a second thought. It’s truly amazing!”

Alexis said that her mother Germaine really doesn’t give herself enough credit for the example she sets. She said that her mother not only positively impacts her family’s lives but she leaves a lasting impact on her students. “Every year, my mom gets many notes and gestures of appreciation from her former students,” she said. “And many of those notes come from kids who had her in 2nd grade and are getting ready to graduate!” Alexis said that as she and her brother grew up, she watched her mother work full-time as an elementary school teacher and part-time at the Country Squire Diner to make ends meet. “And just like Fi, my mom always made time for me, my brother and our friends,” she said proudly. “I know I am the wife, mother and businesswoman I am today because my mom was — and still is — the best role model a girl could ask for.”  

Alexis shared one of the best memories from her childhood: “During the Christmas season. my mom would place special pairs of earrings on a beautiful Christmas dish, and every morning, we would pick out what earrings we would wear that day.” Alexis said she’s excited to share that unique tradition now with her own daughter. 

Alexis feels very blessed to be surrounded by strong, kind and loving women who support her dreams and future. After graduating from Marple Newtown High School, Alexis went on to study at Philadelphia University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and then her MBA. While in college, she spent time studying in Rome and then moved to New York City for a few years before returning home to begin a career in aesthetics and permanent makeup application. 

Today, Alexis is living a life full of joy and purpose with her husband Rodney and their three children: Kali (6), Mateo (3) and Cruz (1). As if life weren’t busy enough, they are expecting their fourth child in June, and Alexis will be celebrating her first anniversary as a Newtown Square business owner this coming August. 

Her business is Avec Elle Beauty Bar in the Newtown Square Shopping Center. It’s conveniently located just steps from the post office, restaurants and shopping. “Newtown Square is very special to me, so when it came time to choose a location for my business, the decision was easy,” she explained. 

Avec Elle Beauty Bar offers a wide variety of services like permanent makeup, laser hair removal, injectable fillers, teeth whitening and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments. And since beauty is more than skin deep, Alexis said they are excited to offer IV vitamin drip therapy, which can improve your hair, skin and nails, and also boost your immune system. They also offer IV vitamins for mental clarity, more energy and pain relief.

Alexis said that she’s looking forward to her business getting more involved in the community by sponsoring local events, schools, sports teams and partnering with other small business owners. She said that Avec Elle recently participated in the annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Marple Moms Meet, and she’s planning to host a few of her own community events in the courtyard right outside her storefront. “Our family has a long tradition of supporting and participating in our community events,” Alexis said. “We have been marching in the Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade since I was a little kid.” Her mom Germaine said that when Alexis and Mark were very young, she began her family’s tradition of making the hand-drawn floats, with homemade glittering red, white, and blue signs. “Alexis and Mark were Marple Newtown parade favorites for many years, and now it’s time for their kids to collect trophies of their own.”

These days, Alexis, Rodney and their kids go all out to complete in the hand-drawn floats category. Last year, Alexis and her family teamed up with her brother Mark, his wife Jessica and their daughter Daviana, to take 2nd place for their America the Beautiful portrayal. And to no one’s surprise, Connie and her husband Pat were awarded the Hometown Heroes award for the parade’s Red, White and YOU! home decorating contest. 

Thank you, Connie, Germaine and Alexis, for sharing your story of strong women raising strong daughters. Your commitment to your family and your community is inspiring – especially as we honor and celebrate all of the wonderful mothers in our lives. 

Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.