Constance 'Connie' Champion

CONSTANCE "CONNIE" CHAMPION

Iowa City

Constance "Connie" Champion died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, at her home with her beloved husband Craig Champion and children by her side.

Connie was born Aug. 17, 1940, in Gary, Ind., to Helen Grabowski, a Lithuanian Jewish mother, and Samuel Parsons, a Kansas-born Southern Baptist father. She later attended the Cook County School of Nursing, where she met her husband-to-be, Maurice Craig Champion, a resident at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. In her true style, Connie saw him walking down the hospital hallway, demanded he come into the room she was in to help her with a patient, and immediately told the head nurse she was going to marry him. It worked. Fifty-eight years, eight children, and 21 grandchildren later, her story never changed. She simply adored him

Connie was full of love and fun. She was a benevolent opponent, a card shark, an excellent cook and the kind of mom who would help you pack if you were running away. She swore, but never gossiped. She adored all children, including her own. She took in strays, both young and old, accepted people, in whatever state they were in and showed everyone around her the same unfussy honesty and love. Her greatest gift was never holding a grudge and all her bad habits were the fun ones. Fearless and adventure-loving, she looked forward to yearly camping trips in southern Missouri with her extended family and friends and created a tradition five decades strong.

Her sage advice, "if someone doesn't like you, that's their problem," was a reflection of her amazing confidence, which was passed down to her children.

She had the ability to juggle eight children, numerous foster children, several businesses and served as the longest running elected official on the Iowa City City Council. She had two downtown businesses with longtime partner and friend, Kerstin VanGilder. Prior to that, she was president of the school board and served on the board of Historic Preservation, all without ever complaining about a lack of time. In fact, it's hard to think of anything she did complain about.

She never forgot philanthropy, and supported Shelter House, the Englert Theater and the Public Library.

Most importantly, she was an amazing mother, wife, friend, and citizen.

Connie was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Parsons, his wife, Jean; and brother-in-law, Jacques Hussussian.

Survivors include her husband, Craig; her sister, Barbara; her children, James, Catherine, Maurine, Thomas, Margaret, Annie, Matthew and Andrew and their spouses; her 21 grandchildren, Benjamin, Abigail, Madison, Sydney, Samantha, Elias, Gabby, Cosmo, Clayton, Hudson, Charlie, Sam, George, Christy, Fox, Julia, Lily, Cora, Sierra, Madalyn, and Jackson; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her greatly.

She created quite an army.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, with a reception to follow at The Kirkwood Room, next to the funeral home (515 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City) from noon to 2 p.m. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Shelter House of Iowa City, the Englert Theater or the Iowa City Public Library.

Online condolences may be made at www.lensingfuneral.com.