Connie L. Stephens
April 20, 1938 ~ December 17, 2017
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Connie was born to Alfred and Arlene (Cox) Woods in Lamar, CO on April 20th, 1938 and raised by Vernie and Louise Bass in Albany, MO. Connie was fiercely independent and always had a sense of adventure. When she was young she was very involved in Girl Scouts and had the honor of attending the Girl Scouts National Jamboree. When she got older, she married Dewain Colvin and they had a son, Vern. The family moved to Darmstadt, Germany where Dewain was serving in the Army and they had another son, Bobby. After returning to the States, Connie and her sons moved to El Paso, TX where she met and married Charles Nabhan and had a daughter, Connie Robin. It was not a happy union and Connie moved her young family back to MO and then to Colorado, where she had a daughter, Margaret. Connie was living in a trailer with four young kids and attending Colorado State University while holding down a job. Somehow she got enough studying done to get her degree and she moved to Pueblo where she bought her own home (no small task for a single woman in the early 1970s). Her sense of adventure continued with all the DIY projects she tackled— she was a DIY diva before it was a ‘thing' and there was nothing she wouldn't attempt: putting carpet and fabric on the walls, refinishing and upholstering furniture and making homemade clothes for her family. She was a hard working woman with a spirit of determination to match-- there really wasn't anything she couldn't accomplish or do. She met and married Don Stephens. She worked for Colorado DOC, first at the women's facility in Canon City (14 yrs.) and then as a case manager at the Arkansas Valley facility in Ordway (11 yrs.). Connie was tough because she had to be, but those who knew her well knew she had a warm and loving heart. In her spare time, she loved garage sailing and visiting her favorite boutiques—ARC and Goodwill. After retirement, she had more time to indulge her sense of adventure and she became a world traveler, visiting Europe, China, Russia and the Middle East where she was baptized in the Jordan River. The trip to the Middle East caused her children some concern, but we figured anyone messing with Connie would get what they deserved. Post-retirement years also gave her more time to be a hands-on grandma and to get more involved with her church and the Newcomers Group where she loved playing cards. Connie's health in recent years made indulging her passions more difficult, so when you think of her now, know that she is free of pain and having a grand time visiting with her sons and friends, playing cards and eating pie. Preceded in death by her sons Vern and Bobby, and husband Don Stephens. Sadly missed by her daughters Connie Robin (Scott) French of McDonough, GA; Maggie (Brian) Miller, daughter-in-law Nancy (Vern) Colvin, nine grandchildren and ten great grand-children; special soul-sister cousins Maree Daise, and Frances (Irvin) Littau as well as numerous decades-long friends and boutique clerks.
To Connie’s daughters, Robin and Maggie. Your mother and I were close neighbors. We went on trips together and often went to Colorado Springs to eat at the Greek restaurant there. One of my fondest memories is of our trip to Florida. We went to get a room at a hotel and they didn’t have any rooms with two beds. The owner asked if one bed was okay and Connie said that it was fine. He somehow got the idea that she and I were a couple and he threw us out of his hotel saying that he didn’t allow that in his establishment. Another fond memory of Connie was when I was driving a car that was in her name. The police came to my house and started giving us a hard time. Connie wouldn’t back down and ended up getting arrested. She was finally released after we posted $800 bail. Please know that we did so many things together that I am unable to include it all in this short space. I will miss my friend. Margaret Adams
Connie was that high school mom to all of us growing up with Maggie. She had compassion, concern and love for all of Maggie’s friends. She often gave good and honest advice and was deeply loved and respected by many.
After high school I continued to keep in touch with Connie with visits, cards and letters. She continued to care for me and my children with similar love she had for her own.
Connie was an amazing and inspirational woman. An angel put here on earth to help guide and love us.
I am so very sorry for the family’s loss.
I have a memory tree on some beautiful mountain property and would be honored to have a memory ornament hung in it in Connie’s memory. I personally believe that sometimes our lost loved ones can still see, guide and protect us on our journeys in this life. I like to believe this memory tree helps us to remember them and their beauty.
Robin and family my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. As I was reading such beautiful words I could picture your mom laughing and eating pie,what an explorer she was! I loved and respected your mom. She will be truly missed, another soldier of this world entering Glory! Your mom made It to heaven! Love you!!
Dear Maggie and family,
It was a joy knowing Connie through the CWF activities at Central. Her sense of humor made meetings fun.
I bonded with her through the power of prayer during the times she was hospitalized. We were (are) sisters in Christ.
Blessings,
Phyllis Strubel
Robin and Maggie,
This is such a beautiful obituary. You have so many reasons to be proud of your mother. So many valuable life lessons she left with you. This is such a blessing. I will miss seeing her, but I’m so glad she was a part of my life.