Connie E. Tice's Obituary
Constance E. Tice - November 3rd, 1937 -- January 30, 2024
Our beloved "Connie" has departed to her Heavenly home to enjoy eternity with her Lord and savior, Jesus. She spent her early years in Easton, PA with her sisters JoAnne and Eloise, before her parents moved them all to Glendale, CA. While attending camp at Forest Home Christian Conference Center at age 12, she chose to believe that God revealed himself in the flesh as Jesus to show how much he loves his creation and how he offers his creation forgiveness and life in him. She was an excellent student and had much success in sports such as swimming and skiing during her teenage years until she broke her back skiing at age 18. However, she remained very active and faithful to regular exercise until mid-December 2023. After attending Glendale College, she completed a bachelor's degree at UCLA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
Throughout her life she found persistent joy by pursuing beauty, truth, and goodness through her faith, relationships, and activities. While attending UCLA she married Bill who she loved and admired for his shared values, character, and faith. Together, they poured their energy into their 3 children and subsequent 5 grandchildren, often expressing the beauty they saw in each one. She loved the wonder of creation whether seeing it the majesty of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the vibrant leaves changing colors on the East coast, or the manicured glory of places like the Butchart Gardens. She also found wonder and delight in gardening herself, often telling of the various flowers and fruits growing in her yard with detailed and specifically quantified delight. Her pursuit of beauty was expressed through music as she taught piano and voice as well as performed for many decades. She self-produced four LP vinyl records with sacred hymns as a means of sharing her delight in beauty, truth, and goodness with others.
Connie's bedrock of truth was Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. She read the Bible daily finding dependable truth which fueled her faith, gave her hope, and informed her loving actions. She cared deeply about treating others with integrity and love. She was true to her word and shared honestly in communication. Her intent in word and action was to honor the example of loving kindness Jesus revealed. She is fondly remembered for her frequent words of affirmation and unwavering support for family and friends throughout her life, even during her final days. She read the Bible cover to cover multiple times and memorized many chapters and verses throughout it. She also delighted in studying the Bible with others. One of her favorite chapters was Psalm 103 which was being read to her as she peacefully took her last breath.
Connie was passionate about doing good. She loved to give generously, a fact which her husband Bill confessed stretched his faith and challenged him as they partnered to serve and love others given their modest income. They gave regularly to their church, Community Presbyterian in Ventura. This was a launching point for partnering with like-minded persons, which resulted in many service opportunities such as partnering with several other couples to help Vietnamese refugee families from the Vietnam war establish new homes in the United States. Connie regularly served in the church's Food Share Program, distributing resources to those in need locally. In addition, while on a trip to Mexico, Bill and Connie met Enrique and Gonzala Morales-a couple from Baja Mexico who shared their love for Jesus and had started a church in Benito Juarez. Connie felt strongly that God wanted her to continue to support this effort. Bill and Connie developed a deep and personal connection with the Morales family and were considered adoptive parents and grandparents to the family members. Connie and Bill created Dos Pueblos Relief Baja to support the mission efforts in San Vicente and Benito Juarez. Many at Community Presbyterian Church and in their circle of family and friends have supported this ministry and personally traveled to share gifts of service and resources as an expression of Christ's love for others. Connie made 62 trips to Benito Juarez in support of the mission efforts. She touched the lives of multiple generations of families with love, and she was loved, by all. Connie often expressed joy at what she saw happening through the Dos Pueblos Mission efforts and was very grateful for faithful others who joined her in these mission trips. The Dos Pueblos Mission efforts Connie and Bill so loved continue as the Dos Pueblos Relief, Baja Board carries on the partnership with the Morales Family.
Her son Mark and husband Bill predeceased Connie. However, she is survived by her son, Timothy (Tia) Tice, daughter Lori (James) Cooney, and grandchildren Joshua (Jessica) Tice, Rachel Tice, Lindsey (Matthew) Fitzemeyer, Whitney Tice and Marcus Tice.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is to be held February 24, 2024, 11:00 AM at: Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St., Ventura, CA 93001.
In lieu of flowers prior to her death Connie expressed hope that others who were touched by her life might donate to the Dos Pueblos Relief, Baja ministry. Checks can be made out to: DPRB and mailed to 9791 Rio Grande, Ventura, CA 93004.
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