I held your hand as seasons changed, Watched memories drift like falling rain. Your eyes still carried pieces of home, Even when your mind had begun to roam. Dementia stole the names you knew, The stories, the laughter, the pieces of you. But it could never touch your gentle soul, Or the love that made our broken hearts whole. Some days you’d smile and call my name, Other days nothing felt the same. Yet I stayed beside you through every storm, Keeping you safe, keeping you warm. Gone all too soon, too fast, too unfair, Leaving silence hanging heavy in the air. But I still feel you in the morning light, In quiet prayers every single night. I was your keeper, but you kept me too, Teaching me strength in all we’d been through. And though dementia took much away, Your love is the part that forever will stay. Never forgotten. Always near. My grandma’s voice still echoes here.
Let the memory of Connie be with us forever.
Connie was born in Omaha Nebraska, the daughter of Michael Villone and Joyce Carol Gade. She graduated from Benson High School, Class of 1965.
On April 30th 1971, Connie was united in marriage to David Dean Jessen in Omaha, and together they shared over 54 years of marriage.
She worked as a licensed Practical Nurse at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa and served as a first aid instructor for over 20 years. She was known for her deep compassion both professionally and personally. She was a long time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She especially enjoyed the fellowship and spiritual connection found in Bible study groups she participated through out the years.
She cherished her time with our family; especially all of the babies. She was the light and life of the party; always cracking jokes and making her silly faces. She loved her shopping! Couponing was a hobby, along with sewing and playing the accordion. She played the accordion at nursing homes bringing joy every where she went. She loved her roses and hummingbird which reflected her love of simple beauty.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael Valone and Joyce Carol Gade.
She is survived by all held so dear to her.
She is missed every day, and loved so deeply. Found a beautiful way to keep her going❤️
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