I remember Connie from when she was a little girl. Her older sister, Elaine, and mu youngest sister were the same age. Connie was about 6 or 7 when I got to know her. Her parents and I taught Junior Sunday School together. One of her cousins was my best friend, and I went to their house with her many times. Her parents are the ones who introduced me to my late husband at the Church softball field where Connie's sister and brother played softball. I cannot remember if Connie played, or not. I often bought all three girls outfits to match.
The year before I was married, her family and I went on vacation together to Jacksonville Beach. Connie and I were standing in the water, not far from the shore line, when I huge wave came along and turned me completely upside down. Connie had seen it coming and ran. I had my back to it. Her Dad saw it coming and could not tell me in time, but they thought it very funny to see me with my feet straight up in the air.
My husband was a favorite cousin of theirs. I lived next door to them in 1969 while my husband was in Vietnam. The night of the first moon walk, he really surprised us, when he came home. He had called my house, but my TV was not working, so I was next door at their house so I could watch the first walk on the moon. He called his brother and he picked him up at the airport, and brought him home. They went to Connie's house first because he thought I was there, since I didn't answer the phone. When he found out I was not there, he of course came to the house. When I opened the door, here came Connie and Elaine down the hill in their baby doll pjs's. They were excited to see him.
We had many vacation times together as they grew up. Connie will be missed.