On January 1, 2012, Connie Ellis passed away peacefully at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice Home following a brief illness.

Connie was predeceased by her husband Osborne Ellis, two sisters and six brothers.

She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Ann (Mark) Lazare and Cathy (Bob) Newman; five grandchildren, Craig (Karen), Leanne (Jim), Cynthia (Scott), Paul (Shaena) and Christine; sixteen great grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter; her brother Melvin (Barbara) McMechan and sister Charlotte Carbert.

Connie was born in Salmon Arm. She was the youngest of eleven children. As she grew up, she lived in the Enderby, Vernon area. She attended Normal School in Victoria and then taught for several years. She also attended Naramata Christian Training Center followed by summer counselling in girls camps for the United Church of Canada. In 1952, she came to Kamloops to teach at the Allan Mathews School. She met and married Osborne Ellis in 1954. They lived in what is now the W.O. Ellis Heritage home on Nicola Street.

Connie's faith has always been an anchor in her life. She was very active in the Kamloops United Church and P.E.O. sisterhood. Her concern for others surmounted her own personal needs. Her graciousness, love and care for others knew no bounds.

The family thanks the generous support of the nurses on 3 West and the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice Home palliative care staff, Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Huang.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Crescent, Kamloops, BC V2E 2S9 or the Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2J7 or a charity of your choice.

The Reverend Bruce Comrie will lead the Celebration of Connie's life on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Kamloops United Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, 250-374-1454.