Tribute

Constance Gwendolyn Nordheimer (aka Connie)
April 19, 1951 to March 26, 2024

The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing… (Psalms 23)

Connie loves this chapter and as she maneuvered through life it was what she reflected. Constance transitioned peacefully into heaven on Tuesday March 26, 2024 in her home at Osoyoos, BC at 14:15. She was overlooking the vineyard, lake and her mountain when a rainbow sealed the deal in that moment she left this world, in her own way, the Connie way, just as she is. She went home holding her husband’s hand through her last moments here on earth, only to be met by her loving family on the other side.

Connie was predeceased by her daughter April Mae, her son Dylan, our father Larry, her mother Thina, father David, her brothers Doug and Ron.

Survived by her brother Floyd, sister Elaine, her step son Jayson and I, her daughter Dana (as well as her son-in-law Tanner).

Her grandchildren Tre (Viktoriya), Winston aka Ra (Bethany), April aka Tyres and her step-grandson Noah. Her great grandchildren Selena aka Zari, Ra-Souline aka Soul, Baby Winston and Anastasia aka Anya

Her sister-in-law Sheryl and her husband Lyle.

As a young mother she and my dad moved to BC from Saskatoon. She made a living as a bartender working for the Surrey Inn, the Red Lion Inn, the Duke of Wellington, the Squire Inn, the Two Parrots Pub and the Fleetwood Arms. She was gorgeous, always the life of the party with her sweet and quick wit, and the best at whatever she put her hand to. Pool was a game she became skilled at working in that atmosphere. She has a playful spirit enjoying games such as rummy, backgammon, crib, poker, etc. with us. Her self taught cooking skills were exceptional and extensive ranging from Italian, Chinese, German, Norwegian, Mediterranean, Japanese, etc. using only wholesome ingredients for her family. She was talented at making Christmas decorations for swap meets, stockings for her family, clothes for us etc. At one point Connie began an auto upholstery business, Diamond Stitch Auto Upholstery, after completing a course through Manpower. Her work was second to none.

Connie held an eighth grade education so she took every opportunity to learn, and it was fascinating how well she retained knowledge. In the 90’s, shortly after marrying Lyle she decided to take courses to become familiar with computers. Following that she landed a job at Cadex Electronics which at that time had over 100 other applicants from her school and such.

A few years later, she and Lyle took a chance at buying a campground here in town called Waltons Mountain Resort, uprooting from Delta BC, which they ran for years. Connie was present in her family’s life and attended their birth’s despite us living in Colorado. She enjoyed having her grandchildren visit and go shopping at her store for penny candy and beach toys to play with. When they sold that business she and Lyle each purchased a condo here in town, and later a home together which is where she lived out her life here. For years their friends would meet them in Palm Springs for winter’s just for the golf and sunshine.

It was from there that I met her in Las Vegas for the Celine Dion show. My son Tre flew out for his 17th birthday so he and I could drive over to Palm Springs for dinner with the two of them.

This inspired me singing “Because you love me” to her over FT in March ‘24 as she beamed with love.

When I was young she and my dad took us camping, to White Rock beach, on bike rides, bowling, painting ceramics out for dinners and to movies. She was part of a bowling league for many years winning several awards as I remember.

Later in life she and Lyle enjoyed the night life attending musicals, comedy events, watching him play hockey, golfing, cruising the lake, water sports, sunset walks around Osoyoos, etc.

My family and I met her and Lyle in Disneyland where she gifted us the full experience with the Disney Hotel. That weekend she bought us breakfast at the Rainforest café to celebrate Ra’s 8th birthday. She was very thoughtful and kind, she loves her family unconditionally.

Every year she sent her grandchildren money on their birthday and Christmas to buy whatever they chose, giving them a sense of money management. She was my best friend, we spoke daily and we were sure to always encounter at least one belly laugh, as she called it.

We also met her and Lyle in Maui with some close friends for my husband’s and my engagement party. We went for sushi and had dinner at Fleetwoods in Lahaina with a rooftop view of the island.

She was a master at 1000 piece puzzles after retirement and finished crossword puzzles daily from the time of my first memory. She had a knack for solving problems, an extensive vocabulary and knowledge, she never stopped learning. Connie is very quick witted, humourous and a bright beautiful light to this world right to her last breath and beyond.  She avoided gossip and kept a high level of class in treating others with respect.

She agreed to be our Valentine and through the month of February we stayed by her side in the hospital. She claimed she was just fine and wanted nobody to fuss, even knowing that her last days were near. My mother was so graceful, she never complained and she let life unfold naturally.

Constance is adored by all who took the time to know her including her nurses at the hospital in Penticton and Kelowna. This is where she gained the nickname “sneaky little Connie”, over some ice chips.

She was an angel on earth and now she is our angel in heaven where she resides with our Father and family.