CONNIE J. SACK

Connie J. Sack 1953-2023 was a spirited and focused woman who knew—"the true beauty of life is not simply, how happy you are now, but how happy others are because of You.”

As a daughter, sister, mother, wife & grandmother (Meemaw), Connie lived her life voraciously and graciously for all family members, numerous friends & colleagues, students, school staff & all Doctors & Hospital care-givers over her lifetime. Even though Connie faced three kidney transplants over the previous forty+ years-- her eyes, scientific mind & heart were available for others.   Connie’s husband Silver, her loving supportive husband of 45 years, daughter Heather (son-in-law Dave), grandsons Elijah & Sean, and remaining sister Terrie & brother Don understand deeply that Connie’s presence at numerous sports events, award ceremonies, Holidays, and birthdays was at the core of her being and purpose in life.

Some friends & colleagues may not know that Connie lost her father, Smokey, when Connie was only eleven years old. Connie was the eldest of five children when her Dad passed away from kidney disease at the age of 32. Connie had four other siblings: Terrie, Joel, Don, & Jack. Connie was honest about being a major help to her mother, Joanne, when all of their lives were jolted from losing their father.

 Health, family, a vibrant educational career, community service, and many dear friendships are embedded in everyone’s memories. Many significant stories arise from all who knew Connie. Her daughter, Heather remembers when her Mom entered CSUB to take a degree in Biology Connie prioritized everyone else first---then Connie would study AFTER everyone else had been cared for. Every day & night---Period. Sports, dance lessons, numerous meetings, prepping for teaching students, and completing a Principalship position (the first female principal) at Shafter High School……Connie was ‘present for others every day, minute & hour. Connie’s educational career was a vital element in her life and her students. Connie passionately believed—and devoted herself to helping high school kids in the Kern High School District. Shafter students were often ‘quietly visited’ at their homes with groceries, winter jackets, clothes, school supplies & cards of encouragement. At times Connie, literally-- gave her all. Thousands of students & hundreds of Staff/Personnel remember her smile/hugs, letters of recommendation, and selfless devotion to all people. Connie’s daughter, Heather, would follow in her mother’s footsteps as she would also devote herself to the field of education.

For Connie there was a truly Golden Age when Heather & Dave brought Elijah, then Sean into our families’ lives. Throughout all the years of the many Medical demands & successes in Connie’s life, it remains these last 16 years with Elijah & Sean proved to be the ‘best medicine possible’----they were/are her Pride and Joy. Throughout her life Connie loved her weekly ‘dates’ where she picked up Elijah & Sean from school, then took them for ice cream and Meemaw time.

As a foundational compass in Connie’s entire life there existed a pervasive and personal relationship with her Christian faith and an anticipating delight in seeing her Mom, Dad, grandparents and two brothers in the next life.

 In memory of Connie’s life and her entire family please feel free to make donations to The American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike Suite 300, Rockville, MD, 20852. Thank you so very much.

Service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Bakersfield National Cemetery.