Constable was born Elinor Jackson Greer on February 8, 1934, in San Diego, California.

Because of her father’s postings, Constable lived in many locations while growing up, eventually graduating from Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii (1951) and Wellesley College (1955) where she majored in political science.

[2][3] After working in several short term positions, Constable entered the United States Department of State training program for career foreign service officers in 1957 where she met fellow foreign service trainee Peter Dalton Constable.

Important positions Constable held with the U.S. Department of State over the next 22 years included: Deputy Director & then Director of the Office of Investment Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Finance and Development Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs United States Ambassador to Kenya Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Constable retired in the mid 1990s due to her husband’s deteriorating health.

[8] After her retirement from the Department of State, Constable worked and volunteered in numerous service activities.