Connie LaMarche, 71
Connie Helen LaMarche, 71, peacefully passed away in Sagle, Idaho, on Monday, May 13, 2024, after spending an exceptionally beautiful Sunday at home on Mother's Day with her closest loved ones. Eagles were flying gracefully above and deepest words and embraces of love were shared as well as some great live music by acoustic guitar.
Connie was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on Nov. 4, 1952, the daughter of Louise Puckett. She spent the majority of her youth years frolicking with friends all over town, riding her bike, swimming, riding horses and babysitting in Sandpoint, Idaho. In high school, she embraced gymnastics, dancing, music, movie-going and several arts and craft activities. She passed on all the joys and connections that came with small-town living. She met the love of her life, Tim LaMarche, at Sandpoint High School in 1968. She built wonderful relationships with all the LaMarche family that grew her heart in fulfilling many dreams tied to strengthening family bonds and becoming an exceptional mother.
As high school sweethearts, they married June 25, 1970. Their early adventures included honorable military service with the Army stationed in Fort Polk, La. They then established a wonderful home and professional life in North Spokane while Tim advanced his career with Safeway Stores Inc. which took them to live many years in North Spokane, Wash., Sagle, Idaho, Gig Harbor, Wash., and later the Portland, Ore., area. Connie excitedly and enthusiastically dedicated herself to always supporting Tim and her children while connecting joyfully with the companies and communities in which they lived. Some of these ways included: Welcome Wagon, Avon products and Mary Kay Cosmetics, home childcare, caretaking the elderly through Senior Living, Ambassador Cards, Rays Food Inc., and saleship with boutique shoe and clothing stores tied to her passions with shopping. She was beyond a bright light at corporate Safeway functions.
Busy as she always was, she took on major supportive and fund-raising roles with the kids major activities tied to their growth with Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, various sports like baseball, wrestling, football and many travels with private gymnastics and later Job's Daughters, volleyball and Junior Miss. She graduated with high marks from cosmetology school which allowed her creativity and natural talent with hairstyles for special events like proms and weddings to shine. She was above and beyond an amazing gift maker-giver.
Connie could be found in any public place by her one-of-a-kind, infectious laugh and her gift of connecting and communicating kindly and very openly with anybody. She also possessed a wicked sense of humor and extended her success beyond just her immediate family. She demonstrated this often through her study of Reiki. Her children and grandchildren were what she called "my heart" as she always included them on some level with her and Tim's living and vacationing adventures during their early years. The best times were always tied to Connie and Tim at the lake where they retired. Many were blessed to have great fun and laughs with them there swimming, boating, relaxing, and long nights celebrating by the campfire. In retirement, they continued this legacy while she participated for a time with Angels Over Sandpoint and long-standing local events with family and visitors.
Connie was preceded in death by all her LaMarche parents and siblings-in-law, her mother, step-father and magnificent son David M. LaMarche. Closest family survivors are: husband Tim LaMarche; daughter Danielle LaMarche; grandchildren Orion and Hayden Ettinger; brother Dan Puckett and wife Pam; and brother Burt Pellens and wife Renee; sister Linda Daily and her husband, Dan; and not to forget ALL their numerous nieces and nephews as well with their wonderful children and generations to come.
Connie's wish for anybody during her life was always shown when she signed cards with “Love and Light." A celebration of life for her closest family and friends will take place at a later date. The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude for all the services tied to Hospice in Sandpoint. The family also places deep affection toward those wonderful individuals for their steadfastness in love tied to her personal needs and of the ones she cherished the most while navigating all the jubilations and tribulations of a life fully lived.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Connie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.
