Connie Lynn Houston (Millward) passed away on July 25, 2023 at the age of 71.
She was born June 15, 1952 in Kyle and lived a fulfilling life through competitive sport, administrative work, travel, and family and farm life. Connie spent her early and school years in Kyle with her parents and two older sisters. During her teen years she found a deep love, and equal talent, for fastball. After graduation she moved to Swift Current where she worked as a telephone operator, followed by a move to Calgary where she played high level fastball and was a successful office admin. She married Russel Houston in 1975 and they made their home at the Houston family farm in Lacadena. During their courtship and early years of marriage they traveled for Russ’s hockey through the USA and Switzerland which Connie often reflected on these years with much fondness.
Connie loved being a farm wife and was a devoted mother to her three daughters. Becoming a grandmother brought her immense joy. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, a fierce fastball coach, a shark at cards, and a welcoming host to friends and family (at all hours of the day and night). She was committed to her faith and had a strong sense of community. Connie was habitually involved with many organizations and groups in Lacadena and surrounding towns. After going back to school in the early 1990’s, Connie worked for many years at the RM of Monet & Lacadena.
She loved the prairies deeply with the connection stemming from many childhood walks alongside her father through the South Saskatchewan River hills. Connie found joy in every season, be it spring when she would await the first crocuses, meadowlark songs and ball games. In the summertime, she enjoyed gardening, picking berries, and spending time at Eston Riverside Park where Connie could be found either golfing or delighting in time at the riverfront cabin. Autumn was her favourite season of all as she loved harvest and the arrival of the Canada geese and winter – well, that meant beautiful hoar frost and curling season!
Russ became her devoted primary caregiver for many years. She moved into the Kyle Health Centre permanently in 2012 when her advancing dementia required more care. Connie received exceptional care provided by the nurses and other care staff at the Kyle Health Centre. We are incredibly grateful for their love, kindness and compassion over the 11 years that Connie spent there.
Connie was predeceased by her father Gordon (1985) and sister JoAnne Beasse (2022). She is survived by her mother Jean Millward (Beattie), sister Karen Howell, husband Russel and their three daughters Abbie Houston (Mike), Jill Carlsen (Chris) and Heather Painchaud (Regan); nine grandchildren Brodie-Lynn, Houston, Hudson, Sasha, Tate, Vivian, Remy, Larson and Theran.
A service celebrating Connie’s life will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lacadena Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kyle Health Center, Lacadena Community Centre or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to Shanidar Funeral Services, Rosetown, SK.