I can remember a funny thing that happened with my brother Dan and I when remembering my Aunt Elyce.  One day Dan and I walked to her house which was just 2 blocks away and we noticed beautiful flowers and she asked us if we liked them them.  Then my brother said "Aunt Elyce they are fake flowers"?  She just grinned and said, "yes they are".  She was always so funny!  I will miss her .  

To my sweet, perfect, awesome, and fantastic mom there are just too many good times, good memories, and life lessons to talk about.  I can sit here and say this and that, but this and that is nothing that can explain how much this sweet lady loved us so much.    I have had a good life, one filled with so many things but the most perfect part of my life was taking care of mommy when she was sick.   If there was a Billion Dollars to pay a full-time staff I still would have pushed them aside to do most of their work,  for this was my mommy who I loved so much.   She had a friend named Carol who in the last five to ten years kind of lost contact with each other as they got older. They were friends
 since childhood.  We found her and at my mom's death bed she was on the phone and the smiling mom got when Carol was praying for her is a smile I will never forget.   Mom had little tired tears coming from her eyes.   That night I said  "Mom,  Carol is a Christian and she said a very nice prayer for you"  and she smiled and nodded yes.  I never knew Carol's faith but I do know it made mom so happy to hear her dear friend pray for her as she did.  That was one of the best days of my mom dying.  They say if you die with two or three great friends you have done well is your life.  Well, Carol,  was proof that she did have a long term friend till the end.   I was so happy because mom loved her so much.   My mom was the most caring person in the world and would do anything for us.    Every day I look at mom and dads picture and I now say good morning and I love you so much.  SO SO SO MUCH

Carmen and mom dyeing Easter Eggs with Daniel and Emily

Ever since I can remember, Aunt Elyce was always there.  We called them An-Elyce and An-Elaine, because they ran together when you said it fast.  Two sisters 6 kids all together while our dads were off at work.
Endless Florida Summers, being barefoot in our shorts or bathing suits in the pool or riding our bikes, climbing trees or jumping off roofs, somewhere between 6th and 7th street. When we weren’t playing we were off to the store- trips to the Zayre  on Taft Street (Security ! Aisle 7), or later to the Hollywood Fashion Mall, where we would share slices of Pizza at the Orange Bowl. I can’t forget the picnics on Dania Beach, or drives to the beach when we got our permits, in either the Valiant or Javelin. To see who could get the best tan.
The best thing about our family is that there was a real closeness, not just because we lived two blocks apart, but because my cousins were practically my brothers and sister., an my An-Elyce was my second mom.  Even when I grew up, went to college, and later to Atlanta to work for CNN., I always  New I had a place in Jacksonville on road trips home, to stop and see the Cononie’s.
There are so many memories of my sweet An-Elyce, that it is hard to pick just one. So, I’ll mention a photo instead.
Every time I saw this photo, it made me smile, because it was so An-Elyce.
A small square black and white, it was taken at Easter, when we were little. An-Elyce was eating a piece of pie. She was all dressed up so pretty, and so into that piece of pie- you could tell she was enjoying it. And of course, she was rocking a fabulous hat.
It’s hard to explain, but I always loved that photo. Maybe it’s because to me, that photo was my An-Elyce in a nutshell.
So pretty. So fashionable. So much fun. And so full of joy, and love. I will miss you , my sweet An-Elyce.

I have to say I had the best Mother- in-law ever... From the first day that I met her she always treated me as her own with love. She had a servants heart that Loved the Lord so much. I loved when I got to take her to lunch and we could just sit and talk.  I will miss her tremendously not only for me but for her children who she loved and adored and also her grandchildren. She always brought big smiles to their faces when they were around her.  I will miss you little lady!!!

Your Daughter-in-law 
Tammy

I’m sharing what my Dad wrote to my mom.

The years have flown by since we fell in love... and they have brought me many reasons to love you more and more.  You have been my friend, my partner and my pal. You have been strong when I needed you to lean on, and you've been tender when I needed you to listen and understand even though I don’t always remember to tell you how much I appreciate you each day. You are still the one who makes my heart beat fast. You are the one I want to come home to forever .
I Love you Ecee

Mom kept a card that I wrote to her in a special place

Dear Mom,
It has been said that we are all babies twice in our lives...when we are born and when we become old.  That means we need a mother again when we pass onto the Lord. That is what you have been for Gommie. You have fulfilled Gods role for you by being the one who loves her, takes  care of her and provides for her needs just like you did for me when I was a baby. I’m so glad you are my mom. You have been a very special inspiration to me in what it really means to be a parent, a giving parent and a self sacrificing parent. I know God has Gold Crown awaiting for you. Keep loving his son and depend on him for everything.
Your Son,
Carmen


Angela’s message to her Nunny after papap passed away

Dear Nunny,

I love you and I know how much papap loved you. It’s best for him to be with Jesus in Paradise, not suffering and having a fresh body. He loves you and so does everyone else because you are loveable.

Love Angela

Letter written from Elaine to her sister Elyce after the passing of their  Father

To My Dear Sister,
When we were growing up in Pennsylvania I remember how you would tell mom you wanted your allowance in advance so you could buy something from the department store, a sweater, blouse or whatever caught your eye. Mom would always give in because that was the kind of mother she was.  I might add, dad was the same.  They were wonderful loving parents. I remember you bought mom a birthday card that read. Mom- How did an angel like you have a devil like me. Well, you were never a little devil- maybe a little spoiled.
     Through the years you grew up to be a great teenager, a wonderful wife, a loving mother and most of all a super great daughter. You looked after mom and dad and when dad went to the Lord, you took special care of mom. Now you are 325 miles away, I can rest assured you will see to it that mom’s every need is taken care of. In closing I have to go back to your being a loving mother because you instilled in your children your loving ways. For example, your daughter Carlyce who is so wonderful and spends so much time with our mother. I am so fortunate to be born in our family.

Love your sister.
Elaine



One of my fondest memories was going to her house for New Years Eve. We were playing cards and nunny was drinking sparkling grape juice, and she said, "I think I'm drunk".  We all started dying laughing.  My nunny was very funny.

I always loved Mary Elyce's  simplicity in every day life.  I was especially fond of being in her kitchen at her parents home on Bedford St. in Dale Borough, Pa. Her mom and grandmother would always be cooking in the kitchen and her dad would be at the table with his books and paperwork.  They would stop what they were doing and greeted me like I was somebody special. Her family was always so pleasant, refined, and polished. In her home, family was always going on.  I remember one time she took me back to her bedroom and showed me her dresser space she shared with her sister Elaine and how perfectly neat she folded her sweaters.  She also pointed out to me that her 5 cousins lived next door, Nancy, Sandra, Shirley, Sue, and Jackie.  They owned a Taylor and cleaning shop.  Elyce was so proud of her children and grandchildren. I will miss her.

I remember when we were kids, Mary Elyce would ask me if she could borrow my clothes and I would ask her if she was going to sweat in it. She would just look at me.  She was such a loving person and would do anything for anyone.  

One of my greatest memories of my Nunny is going to Disney World with her and papap.  They would ride on their scooters.  At times I would sit on their laps when we were just hanging out. We had so much fun doing family things.  I will remember and miss her very much.  I love you nunny!!

The funniest memory I have with mom was when I was pushing her in her wheelchair at Emily's softball tournament and we were on top of a hill ready to go down a bee landed on me and I let go of the chair.  She went flying down the hill.  I thought I was going to loose her but she drug her feet to slow down and she made it to the bottom. I was so scared chasing after her.  A couple of days later I asked what she would do without me and she said, " I probably would not fly down hills"  She always had a good sense of humor. I can remember when I was a little boy a neighbor boy threw a baseball at me and gave me a black eye and mom walked me over to the parents and said look what your son did to my son. My parents loved my family and would give the shirt off of their back to make sure we were all okay.  When I was in College in Maryland she sent me a scripture to read Philippians 4:6-9.  It has always been one of my favorites.  I will miss my mom .  I loved her and she will be in my heart forever.

My Mother

I will always remember calling mom from work letting her know that I was on the way home.  She would would get all dressed up and we would go to her favorite restaurant.  Every Thursday Vitos Italian Restaurant new we were coming.  They would have our table ready.  She would order eggplant parmesan.  During my coaching and playing career she never missed a game.  I could always count on mom for anything.  She was a good listener always giving advice. Her love for our family was so evident.  I loved her so very much and  I am thankful to be her daughter.  Towards the end she told me to by something pretty and put it on for her.  I loved taking care of her and spending every moment that I could.  Mom loved all of us so deeply.  I loved her so much and She will always be in my heart.

Nunny,

The sweetest most beautiful and caring soul I have ever met.  The last few months were tough.  We saw her struggle and fight her fight, but let's not forget the mark she left on all of our lives.  She touched so many hearts throughout her journey.  There is a lot we can look at and be sad about, but I believe that what she would want us to remember was all the joyous moments she gave to us.  She had a smile that lit up the room.  A lot of us know  her as the lady in the cowboy hats.  She would never leave the house unless she looked absolutely spectacular in my opinion and I am sure in many of yours as well.  Always wearing the most stylish outfits.  Personally I have never seen anyone wear a cowboy hat as good as she did. I'm not sure how many of you know this but she always dreamed of riding a horse, something silly it seems .  I can imagine that she is up there riding horses with my papap right by her side.  I can't speak for her or anyone else but I am  positive that she lived her life as amazing as anyone could. She showed us how simple happiness can be and how pure love is. Nunny had a love for her family that extended far beyond belief.  She was at every single one of my games whether they were in Jacksonville or out of town.  I'd always see her and my papap just sitting in their little lawn chairs right behind the backstop.  I know for a fact my dad, my aunt and my siblings can say the same about her support for them as well.   She had a heart filled with so much joy, so many laughs, and so much life and it was clear through the way she lived her life. She was our burst of sunshine. Most definitely a comedian.  Above all things she was a dancing queen.  Dancing whenever you played her song.  So I know she is already up there dancing in the sky with papap. To you my nunny, you will forever be the dancing queen in all of our hearts. Don't forget to save a dance for me.  We will never get used to you being gone.  We will carry you in our hearts forever.

To my loving mother,

My most precious memory was taking care of her in her last days. 
She was so thankful for everything that I did for her.  She was a mother to the end. She even fixed my collar and scratched my belly.  I will never stop thinking of her. BEST MOM EVER!!!! 

Love BIG BOY

I will always remember Mary Elyce and her stylish Cowboy hats and her gum chewing.  Also, she was very comical even in her last days. I will miss her!!

I was so happy to read the After Glow at my Nunny's Service

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.  I'd like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done.  

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when my life is done.

One of the funniest memories I have with my nunny was when she put her fingers in cheese sticks.  She was twirling them around.

To Coach Carlyce Cononie and Family
From: Coach Jerry Battle

Please accept this tribute with heartfelt sympathy in your loss and Heaven's gain.  I know it was God calling your mother home after all of these years.  She will be missed by all, but I believe she(mother) is at peace and no pain in her Heavenly home.  If Ms. Cononie could speak, this is what she would say:
"Remember me when you pass by.  As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, someday you will be, so prepare yourself to follow me."
Ms.  Cononie, no doubt will be missed by all, but God needed her more.  To the family, I want you to know that earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.  Goodbyes are not forever.  Someday we will see Ms. Cononie again.
Rest in Heaven,  Coach Battle will miss you.

                                                          Morning Prayer 
                                    Written and dedicated by Mary Elyce
                                                          for her children

                   Sacred Heart of Jesus, I offer you my prayers, works,
             joys, sorrows, and sufferings of this day.  Lord Jesus, I invite 
            you to come into my heart and be at the center of my life.  
            I pray that I will put you first above all things.  Lord Jesus, 
            help me to love you in the way that you deserve to be loved 
            and help me to serve you in the way that you deserved to be 
            served.  Lead me into your paths of righteousness for your 
           namesake. Lord,  your will is my life.

                                                                Amen
        

OBITUARIO

Mary Elyce Cononie

28 junio, 1940 – 15 julio, 2019

Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios