Obituary of Constance May Howey

HOWEY: Constance May (Davidson), widow of the late Richard Howey, passed away at the age of 86 years in Brandon on January 29, 2012. Connie was born to Marjorie and Dave Davidson on the farm in the Lake Max district, sister to Peter and Garry. She took her schooling at Lake Max and Boissevain Collegiate where she received the B.J. Hales Scholarship to Normal School in Winnipeg and taught for 33 years in several Manitoba schools including Killarney, Morden, Lyleton and lastly in Brandon plus four years with Indian Affairs. She acquired her degrees from U. of M. and B.U. and was honored to be selected by the Canadian Teachers' Federation to teach in Ethiopia and later to be a recipient of Honorary Life Memberships from the Brandon School Division, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Assiniboine Historical Society. She took an active part in church activities, choirs and Sunday Schools, W.I's and 4H's in the districts in which she taught. Teaching was her love and continued contacts with former students were so important to her as were the charitable organizations, which benefited from her generosity. Friends from the Boissevain area held special places in her life as did the farm. Connie married Richard Howey in 1974 and together they farmed in the Harding district till 1989 when ill health forced them to retire to Brandon. They enjoyed much travel and several tours in those years and spent their summers at Lake Manitoba Narrows. Connie researched and wrote the Centennial history for Lyleton and with Richard's help the "Home to Harding" in 1981. Other publications illustrated her interest in history and her keen sense of humour. Richard, the love of her life and best friend, passed away suddenly in 2004 after years of loving support as Connie battled several sessions of cancer. Fortunately, many good friends were there to give her support in the last years. Connie was predeceased by her husband, Richard, her parents, her brothers Peter (Helena) and Garry (Mary), and nephew Pat Davidson. She will be missed by nephews David (Erica), Jim (Eleanor) and nieces Sandra (Frank) Burton, Valerie Andrey and their families. In keeping with Connie and Richard's wishes, following cremation, the ashes of both will be interred together in the Howey plot at the Brandon Cemetery with a private family ceremony.