Constance Olive Frock

Connie was the oldest member of Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church, the oldest resident at American House on Jefferson Avenue, the oldest patient for her doctors - Everett and Diora - “You just get used to being the oldest,” she said during an interview last year. She drove until 98 years old. She gardened into her 90s. And moved into Independent Living at 102. She survived 2 global pandemics. Witnessed 19 US Presidents, from Wilson to Biden. And lived to enjoy 4 coronation ceremonies.

Although her days were quieter towards the end, she attributed her longevity to a life that included a lot of physical activity. She especially loved dancing, exercises with TV instructor Jack LaLanne, bowling, basketball (in high school), and weekly water aerobics classes - until the much younger instructor retired and the class ended!

Connie was born Constance Olive Ellingham in St. Albans, England (outside of London) on September 13, 1916. Her family moved to Windsor, Ontario when she was 6 years old, looking for a better life as England struggled in the aftermath of WWI.

A move to the United States came a few years later, when Connie’s father found work managing apartment buildings across from Cass Tech High School in downtown Detroit. Her brother Fred was born in Canada, and sister Gladys Marie was born in the US. They referred to themselves as an international family.

After graduating from Southeastern High School in 1935, Connie enrolled in business school where she learned to use a Comptometer, an early adding machine. That led to her first job as a Bookkeeper and Payroll Clerk at Briggs Beautyware, where her father John also worked. She actually wrote her father’s weekly paycheck! She also played softball on an all-women Briggs team.

In 1941, she met Ivan Frock through mutual friends at a gathering on Lake St. Clair. They found they shared a love of square and ballroom dancing, and traveling - eventually, visiting every state in the US and many countries in Europe. Every Friday, they went square dancing with the Hayloft Square Dancing Club, and competed at the Palmer House Ballroom in Chicago. In 1942, the couple were married at St. Columba Church in Detroit. Carole (Frock) Krieger was born in 1945, joining Ivan’s son Roger as a family.

Connie stopped working after her marriage, although she filled in at Jacobson’s and Sears during the holiday seasons. After Ivan’s death in 1975, Connie went to work part-time in the men’s department at JC Penney’s store in Eastland Mall, a job she kept until she was 85 years old. She was beloved at work, receiving several employee awards and gathering embarrassing stories along the way. Daughter Carole jokes that they had to close the store so Connie would stop coming to work! She continued traveling with a Grosse Pointe seniors group to different US sites, and various countries abroad, including: Spain, Ireland, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, and many more.

A former Episcopalian, Connie joined Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church in the 1990s, along with her dear friend Warren Lust. GPUMC was so welcoming, she quickly became an active church member. She enjoyed helping with the annual rummage sale, and worked in the memorial gardens. "I did that until my knees gave out!” she once said.

Connie started each day by reading scripture, and treasured the annual Lenten devotion booklet. “The church is like family to her. If she can’t get to the church on Sundays, she is very upset,” Carole said. She was up at 6am on Sundays, to ensure that she was ready to go - and always sat on the left-side, second row. She also listened to a video feed of the service later in the day. She fondly remembers Reverends Bob, Judy, Ray, and her current Pastor David.

Connie’s favorite moments in life were visiting and sharing quality time with family from Pennsylvania, Maryland, California, Florida, Michigan, Canada, England, Texas, and Illinois. She was truly a hoot with all of her stories and practical jokes. And not to mention, the best hugger.

Connie was predeceased by husband Ivan, parents John and Olive Ellingham, brother Fred, sister Gladys Marie, and son Roger. She is survived by her daughter, Carole Krieger, grandchildren Lindsay Griffin (Kyle), Meredith Zielke (Michael Gretz Jr), Karen, Greg and Jimmy Frock, great-grandchildren Liam and Claire Griffin, Anais Gretz-Zielke, extended grandchildren Kim, Becky and Erin. And her very dear nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church (211 Moross Road, Grosse Pointe Farms MI 48236), or The American Heart Association.

Visitation will be at Kaul Funeral Home (28433 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores MI 48081) on Saturday May 20, 2023 from 4-7pm, followed by a 7pm service.