Connie Lynn Green

Connie Green passed away in Sarasota, Florida, on the afternoon of July 31, 2024, several months after being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. She spent her final days in her daughter and son-in-law’s home, surrounded by loved ones—including her cats.

She was known by all as an exceptional woman who led a remarkable life. And, while she sure would’ve liked to get in another trip (or three) to Canada, she otherwise died with no regrets.

Born and raised in LaPorte, Indiana, Connie enjoyed the kind of small town upbringing most of us have only seen in the movies. She was production manager of the newspaper, president of Girls Reserve, and a member of the prom court, and all throughout high school, she loved attending dances (for which her mother made countless incredible formals).

But if there’s one thing to know about Connie, it’s that she’s always been full of surprises. (In fact, right up to the end, she delighted in upending people’s preconceived notions about who she was.) Her penchant for going against expectations became abundantly clear shortly after graduation, when she decided to move out to California. She didn’t know a soul there, but she did know she was ready for an adventure.

While on the West Coast, Connie attended business school to learn computer programming—at a time when very few women opted for careers in STEM. In June 1969, she met Earl Green at a party celebrating the moon landing; just under a year later, they were married in a small ceremony at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas. Her mother made her minidress; Earl did her hair.

A road trip through the US and Canada in their camper van served as a honeymoon (and in news that won’t surprise anyone who knew the Greens, yes, there was fishing), and before long, the newlyweds arrived in Michigan, where they later raised their daughter, Kristen. Connie worked as a systems analyst for the State of Michigan, and remained with the State until her retirement in 1998.

Once she and Earl both retired, they began to split their time between summers in Wawa, Ontario, at their beloved cabin, and winters in Homosassa, Florida. In both locations, they enjoyed countless hours out on the water—and countless hours of laughter with friends.

(Fun fact: While most people assumed it was Earl leading the way to their Canadian vacations and retirement, it was actually Connie who came home with the brochure for Whitefish Lodge and suggested a family trip in 1987. That family trip became an annual pilgrimage, and although Connie was not able to make it back up there as planned this summer, her family will honor her wishes to take some of her ashes up to Wawa in 2025.)

Retirement didn’t leave her much downtime. Between teaching line dancing (which she continued to do up until earlier this year), making wine, winning shuffleboard and Wii bowling leagues, attending dances, playing cards, watching the Lightning, choreographing performances for the annual Walden Woods Legends show, adding new DIY touches to her home, doting on her cats, and visiting with her friends and family in Florida, Michigan, and Ontario, Connie certainly stayed busy.

But she always made time for others—and she made an enormous impact by doing so.

Connie was strong and fiercely independent. Her quiet, empathetic nature was paired with a razor-sharp wit, which made her a tremendous listener and fantastic conversationalist. She loved nature and animals. She was a huge sports fan (and just this February had a blast at a Lightning game with Kristen and Jared). She wrote with her left hand but threw a ball with her right. ("What can I say? I'm a weird chick," she'd shrug.) She was open minded, kind, and generous—and believed others should be, too. She loved music, good food and wine, reading on the beach, dancing, and spending time with those she loved.

She is deeply missed, but her loved ones are glad that she’s no longer in pain—and they are grateful for the support they received from Tidewell Hospice in the last couple of months.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles C. and Sara (Zahrt) Ewart and her husband of nearly 51 years, Earl. She is survived by her daughter, Kristen Green Seymour, and son-in-law, Jared Seymour, who have taken in Connie’s cats (Raven and Tebow) as their own.

A ceremony to celebrate Connie’s life will be held in Sarasota in mid- to late-September. Details will be shared once finalized. A celebration of her life will occur in Walden Woods (Homosassa) on November 9.

In lieu of flowers (which Connie's cats will try to eat), please feel free to make a donation in Connie's memory to the American Cancer Society, Tidewell Hospice, the World Wildlife Fund, or the animal rescue of your choice.