Connie Ankrom DeSelm

Well, she finally put down her paint brushes, her whistle, and her good samaritan badge and stepped through the celestial door to join her beloved son, Mike. In the early hours of April 4, 2023, Connie (Ankrom) Deselm, age 83, slipped away. She was born on September 19, 1939, the only child of Marion and Mary Josephine (Kawa) Ankrom who predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, David DeSelm, her daughters Dr. Courtney Bonner and Jennifer Royal but even more importantly her grandchildren Ms. Tyler Bonner, Shane Bonner, Jevon Bonner, Savannah Flanigan, Brody Royal, and Alexandra Josephine Royal for whom her love and devotion knew no bounds.
She organized the first gymnastics team and coached the only integrated grade school basketball team (city champs) in the city of Charlottesville, VA. Returning to Ohio she started the gymnastics program and Y soccer program (which morphed into EOSAY) in Cambridge and Guernsey County. She next moved to John Glenn High School where she organized, started, and coached the first varsity soccer team, co-ed and very successful. She loved to paint in watercolors, cook, watch the birds, and care for everyone she knew. She was a beloved wife, mom, 'Gram', teacher, coach, confidant, advocate, and friend.
The family leaves you with one of her favorite sayings about roots and wings that truly tells the story of her immense love for her family: "With good roots, you know you have people that love you. You will weather any storm because you are supported by a family rich with laughter and love. With the wings, you leave the nest to go far and wide to ride the wind. The wings can sometimes take you far from home." "The wings" she would admit, "Well I've never been very good about the wings, but home is never too far away!" This tireless homemaker has left a legacy that is a beacon calling all that knew her to love their neighbor, their family, and their time here on Earth.
As the saying goes, she was "good people".
There will be no services at this time.
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