A former member of the City Board of Architectural Review, died on March 20, 2013. She was a registere Building Designer until retirement.
She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 30, 1921 and for her eighth birthday; the only thing she wanted was a ride in an airplane. Her parents finally consented, and thus was born a life-long love of flying and owning four airplanes over the years. The Bonanzas took them to all the states, plus Mexico, Alaska, and the Bahamas.
Velma graduated from South Side High School as a member of the National Honor Society and won scholarships to the Fort Wayne Art School. In 1943, she married her childhood sweetheart, Ken, but the honeymoon had to be postponed because of WW2. Ken was shipped out on an LST, and Velma went to work in a defense plant, running an engine lathe.
After victory was won, Connie worked Ken’s way through college at Purdue University. An accident on ice and snow made them consider moving to a warmer climate, and so the move to Santa Barbara. Connie played the cello, and had been a principle in the Fort Wayne Symphony, and she continued her art by joining the evening orchestra in Santa Barbara. She also at various times was involved with Channel City Airmen, the Lions, Elks, Beta Sigma Phi, Porcelain Artists, and the Red Cross. She served as a deacon at El Montecito Presbyterian Church and was a member since 1959.
One of her main hobbies was ocean fishing and sharing her catch with the neighbors. Her biggest fish was 115 lbs., a sailfish caught at Acapulco. Her favorite was catching albacore which she then canned. She was a china painter and enjoyed teaching her craft into her 90’s.
She is survived by an adopted son, Michael, an adopted daughter, Cheryl, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at El Montecito Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 6, 11:00 am. On line condolences can be sent to www.wrhsb.com Arrangements entrusted to Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.
