Connie Talbot

Connie Maxine Ratliff Talbot passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 26, 2010. She had battled numerous illnesses for the past 35 years.

Connie was born at St. Anthony Hospital in Pocatello. She was the third child and only girl born to Fern and John Ratliff. She lived in Pocatello her entire life. She enjoyed living in Pocatello and being close to her family, especially her grandchildren.

Connie attended school at Whittier Elementary, Alameda Junior High School, and Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho. She graduated from Highland in June of 1968.

In 1964 at Alameda Junior High, Connie met Ralph Talbot. Even though they went to different high schools, Connie and Ralph remained close. One of their first dates was at the historic Chief Theater in Old Town Pocatello. They were married on December 6, 1968 and had three children. Sadly, Connie and Ralph later divorced after 32 years of marriage.

Connie raised her three children with the help of her husband and her mother. Her health began to deteriorate when her children were young and many sacrifices had to be made by the family. The children grew to be very independent and responsible, learning to care for their mother and themselves at a very young age. Even though she was ill, Connie tried to make birthdays, holidays, and vacations very special for her children.

One of Connie's dreams was to live long enough to see all three of her children graduate from high school. Not only was she able to see each of her children graduate from Highland High School, but also see her daughter Heidi attend college and her daughter Kimberly graduate with both her bachelors and masters degree. Connie had wanted to attend college before she became ill, so she was very proud of her children's educational accomplishments.

When she younger Connie loved arts and crafts, enjoying painting ceramics, crocheting and macramé. After her illness took her dexterity, she enjoyed listening to music and watching the History Channel and Lifetime Movie Network.

In her life, she had the opportunity to travel to Disneyland twice with her family. One of her best memories was being able to ride Mark Twain's Riverboat over and over, sitting of the deck waiving to her family as she sailed by. She was able to meet Mickey Mouse and some of the other Disney Characters in person and it was like she was a child again " laughing and smiling despite her illness.

When her health permitted, she also enjoy travelling to Island Park and Yellowstone Park with her family. She floated down the Henry's Fork outlet one of the head water Snake River in Island Park several times and enjoyed sitting in the old Mack's Inn restaurant while watching her kids on the paddle boats.
Connie's condition worsened and made it difficult for her to travel far from her home. She took great pride in the flowers she grew outside her home. Her favorite flowers were zenias, geraniums, petunias and dinner plate dahlias. She also had a love for all things Mickey Mouse. Her favorite clothes to wear were one of her colorful Mickey Mouse sweatshirts and jeans.

She was also a profound lover of dogs. Throughout her adult life, she had several Chihuahuas that she loved dearly. Bambi was her first dog followed by Tiny, Simba, and Lady. Lady was of great comfort to her in her last years, laying next to her in bed and on her lap in her wheelchair. The two were notorious for sneaking potato chips and other junk food that was not part of their diet.

Connie was incredibly fond of her grandchildren " especially having sleepovers with her granddaughter Bailey. She loved to hold her grandbabies and was good natured as her grandchildren crawled all over her, built forts out of her kitchen chairs, and ran aimlessly around her living room.

She was very appreciative of the care given to her by her daughter Heidi and son-in-law Joe. Joe and Heidi made many trips in the middle of the night to help her and make sure she was ok.

She had several good friends that came to visit her once she moved into a care center, most importantly her friend Karen. Connie benefited from loving care from her nurses at Pocatello Care and Rehab including: Rebecca, Kirsten, Lisa, Jody, Linda, Jason and Ben. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks for all the loving care given to their mother by the nurses and care staff of Portneuf Care and Rehab and the Director of Nursing, Donette. They would also like to thank Access Home Health Care and Hospice, especially Ashlyn and Sara, for the comfort and kindness shown to their mother and family members.

She is survived by her three children: Heidi Talbot Velasquez (Joe Velasquez) of Pocatello, Idaho, Kimberly Talbot (Jason Wilcox) of West Monroe, Louisiana, and Coy Talbot (Susan Talbot) of Blackfoot, Idaho. Connie is also survived by her six grandchildren: Bailey, Landon, Trynity, Haidyn, Aaliyah, and Aalaurah.

Connie was preceded in death by her mother Fern, her father John, her grandparents and twin granddaughters Ashlund and Ashlee Talbot

Mom --"We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds."

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