Constance Cheri Nelson

CONSTANCE CHERI 'CONNIE' NELSON Memorial services for lifelong Cortez resident, Constance Cheri 'Connie' Nelson will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 21 at the Montezuma Cortez High School Auditorium. Connie was born on June 12, 1968 in Cortez the daughter of Michael O. and Sandra Kay Murphy. She passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, May 16, 2004 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 35. Connie, as a child was a unique little pixie, with hair that stood straight on end. She looked like the puffball dandelion after it’s season has passed, a halo around her tiny face. Her eyes wide and curious she faced the world with eagerness. Her vitality ever evident carried her into her future. Connie’s early life was spent in Blanding, Utah where she had the love of not only parents, but the bonus of grandparents too. Her grandmother Murphy had hearing difficulties and I used to watch amazed at how Connie would interact with her. Instead of the usual loud tone people take with the hard of hearing, Connie seemed to talk softer. Her grandmother could hear her and would respond. It was the language of love. It was in Blanding where Connie received her early education. At the age of 13 she expanded her horizons moving to Connecticut to attend school living with her aunt and uncle there. Later returning to her family in Dolores, where she met the love of her life. Phillip Nelson and Connie were married on July 16, 1987. Two beautiful children were to follow this union, Sheena Marie and Shane Tyler. This is the fertile ground into which Connie blossomed into the beautiful young woman she was. A very dedicated wife and mother she took her responsibilities seriously. Giving her support and love to any and every endeavor. She worked at the hospital, and then the Valley Inn after completing formal training as a C.N.A. She was always learning more than she had to, and always with the need to know more; and always with her quiet assertiveness and her face forward. She then worked at Wal-Mart where you would find her peeking around some corner where her smile worked itself into a soft giggle. In this last year of her life, Connie had changed her course and began working with school children with disabilities. She always had her heart open and ready to give, to face each new challenge with spirit. Connie loved to craft things and you could always find her in her spare time making something for someone. During the summer’s Connie would be with her family in the mountains, camping, or at baseball games. Her hands were always reaching to feel, to absorb more from life. Her patience and fortitude through some very difficult trials made her stand tall, steadfast and unwavering, which won admiration from all. Surviving Connie is her husband, Phillip Nelson; her children, Sheena and Shane all of the family home. Her father, Mike Murphy of Blanding, Utah; her mother, Sandra Hamilton and husband, Ronald C. Hamilton of Cortez; her brothers, James Conover of Nashville, Ten., Sean Murphy of Highland, Utah, and Barry Murphy of Cortez; as well as her sister, Trena Murphy of Mesa, Ariz. survive Connie. Many extended family members are also left behind. All will miss her with her quiet spirit. Memorial contributions can be made in Connie's name at First National Bank of Cortez.