Constance Victoria Sparks

Constance Victoria Sparks

(Nurse Connie)

1925 - 2012

Matriarch, wife, caregiver and friend began her journey to heaven on July 27, 2012. A resident of Torrance since 1966, Connie was born in Nashua, NH to Emanuel and Athanasia Simoulis, the third of four siblings, two of which, Helen and Philip predeceased her. Connie knew from the age of 4 that she wanted to be a nurse. Her love of nursing led to 3 distinct nursing careers. She attended the Memorial School of Nursing and following the completion of her post graduate work, went to work for Walter B. Hoover at the famed Lahey Clinic in Boston, MA. While in Boston, she met and fell in love with her husband John Sparks, who preceded her in heaven in 2007. Connie and John moved their family to California in 1964. Connie went to work for Weber Showcase entering the expanding field of occupational health. In 1968 she accepted the position of occupational health nurse at Hi-Shear Corp. At Hi-Shear, Connie emerged as a leader in occupational health and preventative care. During her tenure, the occupational and preventative programs she designed not only saved the company thousands in insurance premiums, but tackled the biggest issue in this industry, how to get workers back to work after an injury. Her prevention and rehabilitation programs became the industry standard. OSHA recognized her programs at Hi-Shear as the example of how to implement an occupation health program. This recognition earned Connie an invitation to present to the AMA convention in New York in 1973. Connie retired from Hi-Shear Corporation in 1980, and went to work with Doctor Erwin Samuelson, her "retirement job". She worked with him until her actual retirement more than 30 years later. Connie was a wonder woman and put her heart into everything she did. She had a dynamic personality and made a lasting impression on everyone she met. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Connie was always ready to help and always there when you needed her. She loved to entertain and would always open her home to family and friends. If you were lucky enough to attend one of her Holiday parties, you left feeling loved, full and thoroughly entertained. Connie is survived by her sister, Joan; her four children and their families: John and Joy, Jeffrey and Dena and their three children, Jeff, Ciani and Richard, Jason, Jennifer and Alice; her niece and nephews and their families: Arthur and Joan, Charles and Elaine, Dustie, Bill and Leslie, Wade and Tammy, Donna and Dennis. Connie had a personality bigger than life and her heart touched family, friends and neighbors with her kindness and generosity. She will be missed by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held on August 25, 2012 from 1-4pm at the Blue Water Grill on N. Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach, CA. All who knew and enjoyed Connie are invited to attend. In lieu of remembrances, the family is requesting that donations be made to "The City of Hope / Dr. Hurria's research". Please write "in memory of Connie Sparks" in the memo field. These gifts should be mailed to, The City of Hope - Gift Administration, 1055 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Please sign the guestbook
at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Mom we will miss your smile!