Connie Renee Shipp Christensen

1936 - 2022

Our wise and witty mother, Connie Renee Shipp Christensen, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022, at age 86, surrounded by her family. Known by her grandchildren and many who loved her as "Nonnie," her passing leaves an enormous hole in our lives. But precious qualities of her character remain with us as beacons. Connie was intellectually curious, generous with time, forgiveness and solicitude, and resolute in responding to challenges and setbacks gracefully, with tenacity, courage and hope. Throughout her long and interesting life, she distinguished herself as an educator, friend, mother, and grandmother.

Connie was born in Elsinore, Utah on May 7, 1936, the daughter of Clifford Austin Shipp and Lillie Anderton Hunt Shipp. She spent her childhood in Joseph, Utah and her high school days in Richfield. She believed there was no place more nurturing to a child than under the hot-blue skies, the shimmering silver maples, and the positive influence of caring ward members in a small Southern Utah town. One of her happiest childhood memories was hearing that World War II had finally ended, because it meant that her three elder brothers would soon be coming home-one as a highly decorated pilot-to their two little sisters and their recently widowed mother.

Connie earned her B.A. degree from the University of Utah and then taught English in Sacramento and at Olympus High School. During summers, she worked as a hostess at the Bureau of Information on Temple Square and at the Beehive House where, in 1961, she took the first official tours through the newly restored home of Brigham Young.

She married Jan Royden Christensen on April 4, 1963, in the Manti Temple. They were subsequently divorced in 1994 but remained close partners in grandparenting until Jan's death in 2008.

Following an extended hiatus spent raising her three children through early childhood, Mom took a job teaching English literature at Brighton High School where she spent the next 30 years, including more than 20 of the most fulfilling years of her life teaching Advanced Placement English. She earned an M.A. in Educational Psychology at the University of Utah in 1989. Connie loved her students, and they often achieved some of the highest AP English exam pass rates in the country.

In her retirement, Mom read to her grandchildren, sketched with them, and attended their events whenever she could. As they grew, she delighted in hearing their thoughts and the details of their lives. Mom was a great conversationalist who always had something interesting to say, and her passion for the humanities was infectious. Her philosophy was that we should never allow our happiness to depend on factors beyond our control. She leaves behind a legacy of integrity, resilience, and self-sacrifice.

Mom was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by her three children: Melinda C. Robinson (Jon), West Linn, Oregon; Matthew J. Christensen (Keishi), Seoul, Korea; and Angela C. Parkin (Brett), Salt Lake City, Utah; plus nine remarkable grandchildren and their families: Annie Robinson Driggs (Abraham); Jane Robinson; Nicholas Robinson; James (Anna) Parkin and their son, James; Andrew (Elizabeth) Parkin; Eliza Parkin Wardrop (Carter); Matthew Parkin; Anders Christensen and Emily Christensen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Jan Royden Christensen; her sister, Sandy S. Fisher; and brothers Fred, Mack and Gayle Hunt.

Friends and family are invited to join us for the viewing at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022, and for the funeral immediately following at noon in the Parley's First Ward at 2350 So. 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment is at Larkin Sunset Lawn. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please visit Connie's obituary page at www.larkincares.com for the link.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Nov. 11 to Nov. 15, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Connie Christensen

Sponsored by Larkin Sunset Lawn - Salt Lake City.

13 Entries

Jim Ericson

April 22, 2024

I loved Mrs. C. I had her for honors English my junior year 1988-89, and she really pushed for excellence. I loved exploring and analyzing literature. She was the last teacher I had who still believed in diagramming sentences, which is a lost art in today's world.

Kari laitinen

June 15, 2023

My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Ms.C´s family and friends. I learned today of her passing. She was my AP English teacher in 1992-1993 at BHS and I credit her not only providing me with the necessary tools to pass the AP exam, but also in teaching me how to effectively write!

She was an incredible teacher and made such a significant impact on me and students privileged to be in her classroom. The growth she provided set me up to be successful in my undergraduate, graduate, and professional career.

I will never forget going home (I.e., virtually every single day) to write essays in poetry, novels, books, short stories, all to be ripped apart as she would challenge us to be better...! I smile as I now think and remember the academic arguments we had in class - challenging us to critically think.

May God continue to bless you Ms. C. I will forever be grateful for you and your sincere efforts in helping me learn to critically analyze, think, and write as I model with others what you taught me. Thank you Ms. C!

Karen Post

November 30, 2022

Dear Mindy, Angie and Matt...I am heartsick to hear of the passing of your incredible mom!
She was always such a good friend to me, and my memories of her throughout our lives are so memorable. In the early years we were all struggling with life's problems, raising our children, financial issues, church issues, and Connie always brought some laughter and sense into what was going on. I loved attending her Relief Society classes--I ALWAYS learned something--many things I remember to this day (she taught us the correct way to pronounce the word "genealogy"). During our mid-lives I had moved from the ward, but I was invited back to be part of a book club, and Connie was doing what she always did best---teaching us all about the books we were reading, what to look for, how to analyze what we were reading, how to pick the best books---the list is endless. And I am happy to report that even though it has gone through many iterations, that same book club is active and well today, to which I give credit to Connie for instilling in us all what is good about literature.
These last few years Connie has been absent from my life and I have missed her so! I have missed the sparkle in her eye as she tells me I'm wrong. I have missed the great discussions she and I used to have over just about anything. I have missed her enveloping friendship! I would be forever grateful if Mindy or Angie could contact me. I so deeply loved and respected your mother. Karen Post

Reina

November 19, 2022

Connie's AP English class prepared me for college more than any other. She taught me the skills and forced the practice to throw together a well-organized and well-written paper in a minimal amount of time. I will always be grateful for teachings, and for her kindness.

George Young

November 15, 2022

I was a counselor at BHS when Connie was our AP Eng. Lit. Instructor. She was a master teacher whose love for, and understanding of, English Literature was only exceeded by her love and understanding for her students. I learned right away NOT to take a student out of one of her classes at the student´s request until she had access to the student. In 90% of the cases she was able to instill enough confidence in the students to convince them they could succeed in her vigorous program, and then she worked tirelessly to insure they did succeed. My goodness, I do admire that remarkable woman.

Mary Bailey

November 15, 2022

Connie was one of a kind- intelligent, funny, and generous with her time and talent. I worked with Connie at Brighton High School where she was legendary for her teaching excellence. She will be missed!

Shelby Hales

November 13, 2022

What a remarkable woman! I´m so glad you used the word "sketch" in her write-up because it reminded me of my precious sketch book from her class that tells quite the story of life that year and how she helped me capture it. Thank you for sharing her with so many of us. My condolences.

Jill Frandsen Tew

November 13, 2022

Connie was my AP English teacher and to this day I still remember several key phrases and lessons I learned in her class. One of them was "Be where you are." Learning to be present has helped me to enjoy life experiences more fully. Love to all of her family!

Sarah Otteson Linton

November 13, 2022

Mrs. Christensen was one of my favorite teachers and nurtured my love of English. She challenged my thinking and encouraged my editing skills. Her classroom was a safe space for me and I adore her. My love and sympathy is with her family.

John E. Whiting

November 12, 2022

I taught with Connie at Brighton HS for many years. She always wanted to know what play I was directing, so she could teach a unit to coincide with my productions. Some of these classic plays she always supported were OUR TOWN, LOOK HOMEWARD, ANGEL, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, to name a few. She had all her students study the plays thoroughly and then they attended a performance. Her students were by far the most intellectually committed to the work on stage. I never forgot her loyalty to our Drama Department. She always loved teaching and her enthusiasm was evidenced by her students doing so well on placement exams. I will miss my friend, Connie. I extend my most heartfelt condolences to her family.
-John E Whiting

Brooke Larsen

November 12, 2022

I had Mrs. Christensen for A.P. English my senior year at Brighton High School. She was one of my favorite teachers and is the reason I went on to major in English at BYU. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was wonderful!

Jeff Parkin

November 11, 2022

For the 30+ years we´ve known Connie as our dear friend and surrogate grandmother to our children (via Angie & Brett Parkin), there was almost never a time we got together but what we´d have an instantly fascinating, engaging, enlightening conversation. We covered everything from English literature to psychology to LDS culture and doctrine to family dynamics and more. Seeing Connie at a party was knowing we wouldn´t ever be bored! She had strong opinions and shared them eloquently, but never overbearingly. She listened, brows furrowed with intensity. She agreed, heart opened fully. She disagreed, eyes sparkling. She complimented, always specifically. We will miss her incredibly. But to have her sweet Mindy, Angie and Matt still with us will always remind us she´s not ever too far.

Kristie Pitts

November 11, 2022

Connie was the consummate professional educator and a nourishing teaching colleague. I was blessed to be her friend and office mate for many years at Brighton High School. She was also the beloved AP English teacher to two of my children and a legend within the Brighton High community. I admired her so much and cherished her as a dear and lovely friend. My deep condolences to Connies´s amazing family.

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