Obituary of Connie Ashdown

Obituary Connie was born on January 6, 1921 on a farm north of Okla, Saskatchewan to Tom and Daisy Hingley. She grew up on that farm with her brothers Tom, Joe and Fred and her Sister Phyllis (Dolly) who were born in the next few years. Things were not easy for farming families in those days and they were no different. There was a lot of hard work to do and everyone had to pitch in to grow the food they would need and take care of farm animals that were a big part of their livelihood. So Connie learned to do just that and she said that was the best education and lesson in life anyone could have, as it worked well for you, all the rest of your life. In 1941 Connie married Howard (Dick) Ashdown and they moved onto their own farm near Okla, Sask. They were blessed with three Children, Constance (Doreen), Eric and Lonnie. After about 20 years on the farm they moved their family to the nearby town of Lintlaw, Sask. when Dick decided that ekeing out a meager living on the farm was not for him and he went out to work for wages instead. In 1969 Dick, Connie and Lonnie moved to Fort Nelson, BC, following Eric and Doreen and they made it their home from that time on. Connie was a master at making do and being innovative in so many ways and she carried that talent with her all through her life. She was a genuine Mrs. Fix-it and could make a dress for someone or put a handle in an axe just as easy. She was well on in years when she tore down her good friend and neighbor Mrs. Hannah's lawn mower in her yard and drilled a new key hole in the shaft and reassembled it for her, sharpened the blade on the bench grinder and it ran like a dream. She built new steps into her workshop when she was 85. Eric and Lonnie talk about the fact that their Mom was 90 years old before they were able to persuade her to let her radial arm saw, skill saw, drill press and many other power tools go for fear she might cut her fingers off. Connie was multi-talented as she was a seamstress, an artist in many ways, a musician, a mechanic, a carpenter, a good cook and much, much more. She loved to sing and play her spoons or her rattling cow ribs she salvaged from some dinner and she looked forward to the times when the family would get together at Christmas or birthdays or just any time and play music so she could join in. Right until the time of her passing there has been a fiddle hanging on her wall and whenever Eric would go to visit her she would say "give me a few tunes before you go". She said she loved the times her two boys would pop in together to visit her or help her with something because they always acted crazy and made her laugh. She was a member of the Royal Purple for many years and enjoyed the time she spent with her lady friends there. It was Connie's job most years to make the dress and other attire for the" Money Doll" that was raffled as a fund raiser and she always did a lovely job. Connie had her boys move her from her big house to a smaller seniors apartment at age 91. The boys commented as they were moving her things that they weren't sure what she was going to do for help after they were gone. Connie worked at the Fort Nelson General Hospital for many years and finally retired from there with her gold watch. She made many good friends there and she talked often about them and the good times they had at work. Being 96 years old at her passing, many of these friends have gone on before her and there will be a grand reunion in Glory as we speak. Connie was predeceased by her Husband Howard (Dick) Ashdown, Daughter Doreen, her Mom Daisy (Heath) Hingley, Dad Thomas Hingley, Sister Gwendolyn, Brother Thomas Hingley Junior, Brother Joseph Hingley and her Sister Phyllis (Dolly). Connie leaves to mourn her, her son Eric ( Linda ), son Lonnie ( Lorna ) , her brother Fred, many nieces and nephews, her many Grand Children, Great-Grand Children, Great-Great Grandson Franklin and many more relatives and friends. Cemetery Details Fort Nelson Cemetery Fort Nelson, BC, Celebration of Life FEB 11. 02:00 PM Fort Nelson Elks Hall Fort Nelson, BC, CA, V0C1R0 Services