Connie Velma "Aunt Connie" Kealey

Connie Kealey, lovingly known as "Aunt Connie," was born Constance Velma Newton on December 28, 1926, in Baker, Oregon - with her birth certificate proudly noting it was just six miles from Haines. From the earliest days of her life, Connie carried a quiet strength, a tender joy, a spark of humor, and a deep faith in Jesus that would guide her through every season.

She grew up on a farm in Jefferson, Oregon, attended Roberts School, and spent much of her childhood working alongside her father, Charlie. Though her mother, Mary, hoped she would help more inside the home, Connie's heart was always drawn outdoors - to the fields, the animals, and the honest rhythm of farm life. Those early years shaped her resilient spirit and her simple, steady trust in the Lord.

On April 18, 1947, Connie married George John Kealey. They lived near Salem before moving to Georgia in the mid-1960s. In 1952, they adopted their son, John Larry, at birth - a child Connie cherished deeply and thanked Jesus for every day. When George passed in 1992, and later when her beloved son died suddenly in 2000, Connie walked through profound grief. Even then, her faith stayed strong, grounded in the hope of heaven and the promise of reunion.

After her son's passing, Connie returned to Oregon and made her home in Canby, where she found a church family that became a source of belonging and purpose. At Canby Evangelical Church, she lived out her faith through dedicated service - especially in the kitchen, where she poured love into meals, gatherings, and the people she cherished. Independent, generous, and always ready to help, Connie served with warmth, humility, and a gentle humor that made everyone feel at ease.

Family was everything to her. She worked intentionally to keep everyone connected, believing love was something you nurtured with care and consistency. Her laugh was unforgettable, her hugs felt like home, her smile could brighten any room, and her playful wit added a lightness that made every moment with her sweeter. To know Aunt Connie was to experience welcome, kindness, and the steady love of Jesus reflected through her life.

Today, we take comfort in knowing Connie is with Jesus - whole, restored, and reunited with her precious son.

Connie is survived by many nieces and nephews: Steven (and Monica) Newton, Michael (and Susan) Newton, Sandy (and Tracy) Simmons, Maria Rentas, Lynn (and Virgil) Woodrum, and Conie (and Will) Krause. She is also survived by cousins, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family, and a wide circle of friends whose lives were touched by her kindness and her faith.

Her legacy of love, service, humor, and steadfast faith lives on in all who knew her - and will continue until we meet again.