The memorial service for Connie will be held at Wakefield Chapel, 8415 Toll House Road, Annandale, VA, at 11:00 AM on April 11, 2010. This would have been Connie's 59th birthday, so we will celebrate her life on her special day.
Directions:
From 495, take Braddock Road west.
Head west on Braddock Rd/VA for .9 miles
Turn Right on Wakefield Chapel Rd (State Route 710).
Go 1.2 miles, turn Right at Toll House Rd.
Chapel is on the right.
Parking:
Pass in front of the Chapel, straight to 1st Left on Holborn Ave.
At 4414 Holborn Ave, the Nancy Sprague Technology Center, turn left into parking lot.
Note: Fairfax County does not encourage street parking. No parking in front of the cemetary. Do not park on the lawns and/or pathways.
RECEPTION:
NOTE: CORRECTED ADDRESS
Following the Memorial Service, at Robin McCorry's home, 6511 Stonedale Lane, Clifton, VA.
Directions from Chapel:
South on Holborn Ave .5 m.
Turn Left on Wakefield Chapel Road.
Go .6 m, Right on Braddock Rd (VA 620) west.
Go 10.6 m (past Braddock Park) to Left on Union Mill Road (County Rd 659).
Go 1.4 m, Right on Stonefield Drive.
Go .3 m, then 3rd Right on to Stonedale Lane.
First house on Right (Look for Michigan flag!).
Unfortunately we will not be available on the 11th. We thought the world of Connie, her tenacity was an inspiration to all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who survived her.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Dr. Jos. and Linda Marhall
I will never forget her incredible courage, her positive attitude and her smile. Her lovely voice and the twinkle that was always in her eyes. I feel very priviledged to have had the chance to know her. Our lives are better because we knew Connie.
ReplyDeleteJamie Stewart-Marsh
Connie: A Recollection by Jim(my) Shahin
ReplyDeleteThere are so many stories, but one stands out for me. It is from Connie’s final days, lying in a hospital bed after her stent procedure, talking with Robin and me about her recollections of visiting her grandparents' village in southern Lebanon as a young woman.
Robin and I had waited anxiously for the announcement that Connie was out of surgery, and finally, we were told that we could visit her. Robin and I walked down the hallway toward Connie’s room. A nurse told us that, because of Connie’s precarious condition, we had to don a breathing mask, gloves, and a paper gown.
Brushing aside a curtain, we entered Connie’s room. She lay atop the covers in the dim hospital light, slightly propped on a pillow. Our faces partially hidden, she seemed confused at first but soon realized who we were. She smiled.
“Hiii,” she said, in that sing-song way of hers. Her voice was thin. Her eyes showed fatigue but, at the same time, registered an undeniable alertness. “There’s a chair over there,” she said, ever the social orchestrater.
Robin took a chair at the foot of one side of her bed, I on the other. As nurses came and went and machines blipped and bleeped, we fumbled at first with conversation. How did it go? When did you go in? What did they do?
With a little prompting, she discussed the operation. Despite asking to be put under, she said she was anesthetized such that, save for some pressure on her leg by a male nurse pushing down on it, she couldn’t feel anything but could, through a haze, see and hear the doctors. Her words came slowly. But they were chosen with characteristic detail and humor, and she ended her story by mimicking the conversation of the doctors.
During a pause after finishing her story, she said, “I wish I could eat.”
We told Connie that we had brought her some lunch.
“They won’t let me,” she said. “They said I’m not allowed to move my legs. They said I can’t eat until I’m allowed to move my legs.”
A nurse came in
“When can I move my legs?” Connie asked.
“Not for several hours,” the nurse replied.
Connie sighed, rolled her eyes.
She started joking about her family name, Ojile, about the unusualness of the name generally and its seeming lack of Arabic-ness specifically. The conversation coursed into a remembrance of her trip to Lebanon. She visited as a young woman of about 20 with what she described, wryly but warmly, as a sort of traveling family circus that included her mother, an aunt, an uncle, and her maternal grandfather.
As she talked, her tone still thin and cadence still tentative yet her words as unstoppable as a river, her anecdotes were informed, as they always were, by keen observations and humor.
She talked about the beauty of the verdant, mountainous landscape and, in a broad southern Lebanon valley where her grandparents were from, the astonishing variety of agriculture, from olive groves to oranges to wheat to animals. Although she was weak from the stent procedure, she recalled her experience from those many years ago with remarkable clarity, sprinkling her conversation with insights about the land and history and the Bible and farming.
"It made me realize why this part of the world was once called the fertile crescent," she said.
The insight struck me as at once unexceptional and profound. Unexceptional because, yes, of course, this area was once part of what was known as the fertile cresent. Profound because, coming as it did after a veritable history lesson, it tied everything together and helped me see an area that I, too, had visited in a much deeper way.
There was something about her observation, something about that entire afternoon, the strength despite the weakness, the insight informed by sharp observation, the vivid story-telling inflected with humor that, for me, coalesced into an image of the best that was Connie.
Not long after, I left. As I pushed the curtain away, Connie called out. “Make sure you tell the nurse to put the pita in the ‘fridge,” she said.
Amy Friedman Milanovich said:
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that a photo of Connie with the Cherry Blossoms was used - I know how much she loved them and remember getting up super early in the morning with her some years ago to go see them - given that neither of us was an early morning person that was a big feat! I am sorry I won't be able to make it to the DC memorial but know that it will be wonderful and her spirit will certainly be there! Amy
Elise Wiarda said:
ReplyDeleteShe was a beautiful, very courageous person, and unforgettable.
I will not be able to be there, because I will be in Amsterdam.
With love and thanks,
Several years ago Connie visited us in Seattle. We lunched on our back deck, finding some shade because of Connie's light sensitivity caused by her medications. As we gathered around the table, I was once again struck by her astounding humor, courage, tenacity and grace. Never one to dwell on her medical challenges, she embraced life with a full heart and an authentic laugh.
ReplyDeleteAs we dined, in an environment so different from her childhood in Michigan or her life in DC, an eagle landed and perched about 120 feet up in one of the Douglas Firs near the deck. I have always associated the eagle with Connie's heart and sense of adventure.
Pamela and I will be unable to attend, but send our deepest consolation to the family, friends, and community who are all now diminished by her passing.
I remember her as Connie-Sue growing up in the north end of Flint Michigan. She was, as a child; bright, energetic and somewhat of a rascal. It comes as no surprise to me that she had such a dazzling career and enjoyed life with such stunning zeal. Here's to you Connie-Sue; to your life, your accomplishments and that the world is better for your having been here. Conversely, there is less color and music now that you are gone. With fond memories,
ReplyDeleteMike Glover
Flushing, MI
Dr. Patrick Byrne said:
ReplyDeleteWe all loved Connie, and she was an inspiration for all of us and all cancer patients. Connie had amazing will to live and grace and beauty under enormous stress.
Pat Byrne
Amy Friedman Milanovich said:
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that a photo of Connie with the Cherry Blossoms was used for the paper - I know how much she loved them and remember getting up super early in the morning with her some years ago to go see them - given that neither of us was an early morning person that was a big feat!
Mitchell Schneider said:
ReplyDeleteConnie was interested in people, and what made them tick. She was passionate about people's capacity for personal growth and self-transformation. In her work and in her personal relationships, Connie had a knack for nurturing others. Even during her long illness, it was remarkable that she always seemed more focused on others than on herself.
Peggy & Jim Cademartori said:
ReplyDeleteApril 11th, Connie's birthday, is indeed a perfect day for her friends and family to come together to honor her.
What a wonderful picture of Connie right in the midst of DC by the Jefferson Memorial in cherry blossom time!
We still have not focused on the fact that she is gone -- but rather like to think of the gifts of hope and perseverance and wry humor that she shared with us and that we will carry with us.
I haven't seen Connie since we graduated together from Flint Northwestern but I always felt she was destined for greatness, her quiet ways always impressed me more than I ever let her know...I now live in Santa Monica, California and unfortunately cannot make the memorial but please let her family and friends know my prayers and blessings be with you all in this most difficult of times...Nancy Warner
ReplyDeleteRob Werge and Charlotte Miller said:
ReplyDeleteWe knew Connie “back in the day” and have followed, from a distance, her health struggles these past years. We think of her life fondly. . . many shared laughs and insights. We again thank you for your thoughtfulness and for your support for Connie.
Elise Wiarda said:
ReplyDeleteShe was a beautiful, very courageous person, and unforgettable.
With love and thanks,
Something special, impressive, that I remember about Connie--already a few years ago now--is her creativity with regard to her health. She didn't let herself believe the usual 'story' but sought fiercely for alternative ways, even within her acute financial limitations, and was remarkably upbeat and lively in her dying. As a person with health challenges, and as an acupuncture practitioner, I recognize and admire the kind of courage that Connie exemplified--hurray for Connie!
ReplyDeleteClaire Cassidy
Gretchen and Harry Schafft said:
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to believe that Connie is not there to do one more round. She will always be remembered and loved, and all the lessons she taught will come back to us when courage is needed. Thanks to all of you who were her friends, all your selfless gestures and hard work. Harry and I did very little by comparison to make Connie's life bearable, and we always received more than we gave. Peace be with her.
Love to all.
What I remember about Connie is her exceptional bravery in the face of great adversity. What a lesson for us all! She will be greatly missed by those who loved and adored her.
ReplyDeleteI regret having to miss her memorial service, but am out of town that day.
Happy Birthday, Connie!
-Fran Downey
That was a lovely service today. Thanks to everyone who put it together. I am sure Connie was there too, and enjoying all the stories despite the technical glitches! Be well everyone... one of Connie's neighbors, Linda
ReplyDeleteChris Cataldo said:
ReplyDeleteI first met Connie at Claudia's 50th birthday party as she sat next to me. I remember her as friendly, interesting, funny and full of life and adventure. I saw her a few more times at our Signature theatre events and such. I am very sorry for the loss of such a fine person and dear friend to you, Claudia. Please give my sympathy to her family and friends, and know that I will be thinking of all of you today.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDavid Franzblau said
ReplyDeleteI first saw Connie in the Fall of 1969. A friend had dragged me to a rehearsal of "Marat Sade, put on by the Barn Theatre at Oakland University.
There she was - such a striking woman with long black hair - rocking back and forth on the stage, and belting out undoubtedly the show's most memorable tune ... about "copulation." The girl knew how to impress a crowd.
The unforgettable exuberance she brought into the world is captured in the above photo, "Connie in the 70's." The passing years would demonstrate that she also took bravery and resilience to new heights. Generosity and forgiveness came naturally to Connie, but she was no push-over. If you weren't living up to your capabilities, particularly in the maturation department, a confrontation was around the corner, but you were a better person for it.
Connie Sue Ojile was absolutely unique and her enrichment of the world goes on.
I don't know if anyone will see this at this late date, but I felt the need to post something. I haven't seen Connie in over 25 years. We dated for a short time back in the '80s, and I'll always remember her spirit and personality. She was a lovely lady, both inside and out. She was a diehard Michigan fan, and always loved to hear their fight song playing. Our respective alma maters are playing a football game today (Rutgers first year in Big Ten Conference), and it made me think of her. I was so sad to read about her passing. RIP, OJ.
ReplyDeleteWayne Wolverton
Fairfield, NJ
Connie and I were co-trainers for San Diego based company doing drug and alcohol training for the USMC in the 1980s. We worked together not only in the D.C. area, but also on west-pac in Okinawa and Hawaii. She was a marvelous trainer and mentor to me! I was sad to hear of her illness a few years ago and tried to contact her, but was not successful. I am so sorry to learn of her passing, and offer my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Annette R. Smith, Naples, Fl.
ReplyDeleteConnie and I were co-trainers for San Diego based company doing drug and alcohol training for the USMC in the 1980s. We worked together not only in the D.C. area, but also on west-pac in Okinawa and Hawaii. She was a marvelous trainer and mentor to me! I was sad to hear of her illness a few years ago and tried to contact her, but was not successful. I am so sorry to learn of her passing, and offer my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Annette R. Smith, Naples, Fl.
ReplyDelete