Connie Gildea

There are some people who, with a simple smile, kind gesture, or an encouraging word, make all the difference in the world. They do so freely, and it comes to them naturally without pause or hesitation. There are many who had the privilege to have called Connie "Non" Gildea a loving wife, devoted mother, dedicated grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She made days brighter, trying times seem less difficult, and good times all the more worthwhile because she put her heart into each relationship she shared. For those who knew and loved Connie, life will never be the same without her. Deeply missed, she will be remembered with loving thoughts and fond memories.

As the nation was eager to begin anew in the upcoming decade ahead, times were indeed quickly changing in the U.S. with post World War II prosperity. Industry and manufacturing were at an all time high, and with the baby boom well on its way, families were taking to the suburbs in massive numbers. Known as the Greatest Generation, Americans came through the perils of the Great Depression and succeeded through yet another world war. Now more than ever, it was time to fulfill the hopes and dreams hearts had longed for. Bill and Katherine Braybrooks, of Kalamazoo, Michigan was one such couple who had much to look forward to. On September 14, 1948, they were overjoyed with the birth of their little girl, Constance.

What came to be a bustling household, Connie was the first of eventually seven children in her family. She welcomed younger siblings, Rocky, Nancy, Bill, Larry, Bob, and Colleen, and even helped raise a few of the younger ones. Raised in Kalamazoo, Connie attended the area schools where she was a well liked, outgoing friend. There was, however, one friendship in particular while in junior high school that made a lasting impact on Connie's heart. Mike Gildea was a handsome young man who shared the same outgoing nature as Connie. They were both very social and involved in school and out, and they soon began dating, making the perfect couple. He loved Connie's warm smile, and of course her great laugh.

Connie attended Loy Norris High School and graduated with the Class of 1966, which also included Mike. In 1967 she acquired a job as a clerical worker for the Upjohn Company and continued to do so while raising her family. After high school they continued to date, and on June 14, 1968 the school sweethearts were happily married at St. Monica Church. They spent a memorable honeymoon up north in a cabin on Indian Lake before taking a ferry across the lake to the Wisconsin Dells.

They took the time they needed before starting a family of their own, but when daughter, Kelly came along in 1971 followed by their son, Pete (Michael Jr.) in 1973, Connie was filled with pride and joy. Attentive, loving and involved in the lives of her children, Connie could not have been happier. She attended each of their activities and sports, and was their greatest encourager. Several years after Pete's birth, they moved in 1977 to Austin Lake where they made happy and memorable times as a family for the next 17 years there.

When a new career opportunity presented itself at a State Farm Insurance office, Connie began working there in 1994 where she remained for the next five years. In time she went on to receive her insurance agent licenses through Michigan State University.

With her welcoming ways, Connie opened her home to many family gatherings and social get-togethers. When it came to Kelly and Pete's friends, their home was an oasis for all. It only stands to reason that it was through Connie's kind and generous heart that her house served as a mecca of sorts where everyone felt welcomed and at home. Her boundless energy and light-hearted spirit was a trait admired by others, and her genuine and caring smile could easily light up a room, especially when accompanied with her contagious laugh.

Connie savored time spent with family and friends. She liked to entertain, and whenever there was a call for music, she loved her Motown along with rhythm and blues. As outgoing as she was, Connie could have run circles around someone double her size. She loved getting everything set-up for the holidays and even enjoyed yard work, too. Over the years she also went golfing. Her passion, however, was reading. When not traveling with her husband for work, she was quite often a regular at the library. More than anything, Connie loved time spent on the lake at the cabin where she took in the enjoyment of fishing and waterskiing. It was a new and exciting time for Connie when she became a grandmother. She welcomed any time she could spend with them. When they began calling Connie "Non", the name stuck and from that day it was officially her nickname. Of course, who would "Non" have been without "Bop", the nickname the grandkids gave Mike.

Constance "Connie", "Non" Gildea was the driving force behind the family she so deeply loved. She was the one with whom others could depend, and she quite simply kept things together and running smoothly. In May of 2009, Connie and her family received the daunting news of a colon cancer diagnosis. Before long, it spread to the liver. With what seemed like unrelenting energy and enough love to last a lifetime, Connie sadly died at her beloved home on Indian Lake Sunday, February 19, 2012. Sadly missed, she will be long remembered with love.

She leaves behind her husband and partner in life, Mike; children, Pete (Melanie) Gildea; Kelly (Cory) Wietfeldt; six grandchildren, Savannah and Andrew Gildea, Zoe, Brayden, Elijah and Tobyn Wietfeldt; her parents, Bill and Katherine Braybrooks; her six siblings, Rocky (Lashon) Braybrooks, Nancy, Bill, Larry and Bob Braybrooks and Colleen (Tom) Breitenbach. Visitation with Connie's family will be Friday from 5-7 PM at Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, 11:00 AM at St. John Bosco Church, Mattawan followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Connie and to sign her online guest book.