Constance Helen was born in Newcastle, New Brunswick on December 11, 1951. She was adopted at six weeks of age, by Doug and Ina (Davidson) Dann. Connie joined older brother Wayne and their parents on the family dairy farm on the outskirts of Hampton, New Brunswick. Jean, her younger sister, arrived in 1953, before the family relocated to Etobicoke in 1956.
In Ontario, Connie attended Eatonville and Broadacres Junior School before moving onto Vincent Massey High School. After graduating from high school Connie took a secretarial job with London Life in Toronto and lived in Mississauga. In 1972, she married Dennis Sims, and the couple soon called Ingersoll home. She continued with London Life, working from home, and remained with the company for 15 years. From there Connie moved on to Cami, a division of GM. In 1991, Connie began working for the Ministry of the Attorney General in the Woodstock Courthouse, as a secretary. In 1999, Connie and Dennis divorced and Connie moved to Woodstock.
In November of 2003, Connie met Robert William Summers on an online dating platform. Her life would be forever changed. After conversing back and forth for a few months the two decided to have their first date. It was February 17, 2004 and Robert drove down to Woodstock for the evening. Things went really well and Robert looked forward to another date the following weekend, but he was in for a surprise. Connie said ‘no”, and he was stunned. Turns out she too enjoyed their first date, however she wanted to do her homework first. She used some of the perks from her job to look further into the life of Mr. Summers, and with a friend drove up to Tiverton the next weekend to scope out Robert’s home and his business, unbeknownst to him. In their next conversation, she surprised him with some of the facts she knew about Robert (including questions about his heavy foot), but he passed the test, never lying, and gaining her trust. Their relationship took off from there and they never looked back.
Connie retired in 2007 and moved north to Tiverton to live with Robert. However, an opportunity arose where she went back to her former job in a contract position, but closer to her new home. She soon began working in the Walkerton, Owen Sound, and Goderich Courthouses and continued to enjoy her time there. After the move, there was a bit of an adjustment period as there always is for new couples but their feelings for one another never wavered. Connie kept a clean house, which was admired by many, but like any situation took a bit of getting used to. Robert would often compare her to June from the television series Leave it to Beaver. If something was set down, Connie would be by in mere seconds to grab it and put it in its proper place. To say Connie was a clean-freak would be an understatement.
Connie loved to travel, and her first experience with Robert occurred in the summer of 2005 whereby Connie was given her first motorcycle ride, on Robert’s 1972 Harley Electra Glide. She absolutely loved it! For the next several months they attended many bike events together, but Connie would always follow behind him in the car, as the bike was not set-up for two people. She eventually surprised Robert in 2007 with a brand new Harley that had seating for two! In the years that followed they put many miles on this bike. However, travelling by bike was not enough as they soon purchased a motorhome. Over the next 14 years, they upgraded three times, always getting a little larger model. Their travels at first were mostly to different areas around Ontario but in time they were travelling throughout North America. In recent years, they would usually leave for Arizona in early December, staying a couple of months. They would then continue onto Texas, Florida, and Myrtle Beach before returning home mid-April. The motorhome was not their only mode of transportation during these trips as they hauled a car and the bike with them. Therefore, there were endless day trips to every popular destination you can think of while on the road. In recent years, they purchased a park model in Yuma, Arizona. Here they enjoyed their neighbours, community, and the weather. These amazing times together will forever be etched in Robert’s memories.
If you knew Connie you would understand when I say she was a bit of a bargain shopper. Robert joked that she would drive across town to save $0.04 cents even though it cost an extra $3 in gasoline. Hobby Lobby and Walmart were staples in her shopping experience and once again there were times when Robert felt like they spent more time there than at home! 🙂 Connie also loved her cats. Whiskers was her first, with Harley, a rescue cat, being her current feline friend. I wonder where the name came from? When able, Connie also enjoyed volunteering in her community. Over the years, she spent time with Big Sisters, Alzheimer Society, VON, and Telecare, just to name a few.
Connie was a kind, independent woman who tended to be very conservative. However, I am told that she did not forgive easily, so you had better make sure you stayed in her good books. She was a nurturer and giver, always worrying about everyone else rather than herself. Connie had an infectious laugh and was very generous, almost to a fault. As you can probably understand, Robert and his family were her world and she would do anything to support them.
Sadly, Connie was diagnosed with Stage 4 advanced cancer on February 28, 2020 while in Yuma, Arizona. She lived out her remaining days as best she could with the constant love and support of her family and friends. Connie passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Monday, July 27, 2020 in her 69th year.
Beloved partner and best friend of Robert Summers. Connie will be dearly missed by Bob’s daughters, Kim Summers (Jamie Crawford) of Tiverton and Angela Summers of Hanover as well as their children Mathew (Alexa), Joshua, Alana, and step-grandson Damian. Loving sister of Jean (Greg) Bourgeault of Marathon and Wayne (Natasha) Dann of Ecuador. Connie will also be fondly remembered by her dear friends Ron and Pam Loomis and Bob and Deb Brigger. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Keith Marshall, nephew Kenny Dann, brother-in-law David Summers, father-in-law Robert B. Summers and her parents Doug Dann and Ina Kennedy.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday, July 31, 2020 from 2 – 3 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, 25 people will be allowed in the building at any given time, and visitors must wear a mask and follow physical distancing rules. A private family funeral service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
