Constance "Connie" Emma Brooksbank, the daughter of John N. and Mary Anne Robinson Brooksbank, was born January 5, 1922, in Chicago, IL. Her parents and sister Nora had immigrated to the United States from England. An older sister Erie remained in England throughout her lifetime. Her family lived in Chicago and Omaha in her early childhood before moving to Pueblo, Colorado.
Connie attended schools in Pueblo and was a 1939 graduate of Central High School. She was a homemaker and also worked at the Colorado State Hospital as a Psych Tech, retiring March 31, 1982, following 24+ years of service.
She was united in marriage to John Louis Zupancic on January 20, 1940. To this union five children were born, John who died in infancy, Barbara, Donald, Bruce, and Nancy. Her husband John worked as a steelworker at the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation for 44 years until retiring in 1980. Favorite family pastimes were going to the zoo and amusement area in City Park, picnicking in the mountains near Beulah and San Isabel or vacationing in Colorado Springs and Denver. Connie and Johnny enjoyed dancing and were avid bowlers for many years.
Connie was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Episcopal Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; she devoted her life to her family. Her interests and favorite hobbies through the years were cooking and baking, watching sporting events-especially the Broncos, bingo, dog races, playing the slots in Cripple Creek, and working crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" were television favorites. She cherished her family visits to Denver and Iowa and loved celebrating the special "life events" with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As Connie aged, her mindset was always positive. Her faith, work ethic, concern for others, keen memory, and great sense of humor remained, despite her disability. She was very appreciative of the friendship and efforts of her caregivers. Visits by Erica, Irene, Aubrey, Shawna and Rick were very special.
She died October 17, 2019, at the Joni Fair Hospice House in Pueblo.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband John (April 8, 1987), three sons, infant John, John Bruce (1967) and Donald (2008), and two sisters, Nora and Erie.
Surviving are daughters, Barbara (John) Overton, Indianola, IA, and Nancy (Buddy) Frank, Pueblo, CO; six grandchildren, Bruce (Sable) Overton, Las Vegas, NV, Julie (Michael) Stefko, Dallas, TX, Derek (Jennifer) Overton, Indianola, IA, John (Jessica) Frank, Pueblo, CO and James Frank, Pueblo, CO and Jesse (Katrina Perry) Frank, Longmont, CO; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Lee and Christopher Overton (NV), Jackson and Camryn Overton (IA) , Michael Stefko III (TX), Emma and Rilynn Frank, Tiffany, Jameson and Blake Frank, and Kyleigh, Aubrei Hilton-Perry and Makenzie Frank. Also surviving are her nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Connie’s life was legendary. She experienced many hardships during her lifetime: death of her father while in elementary school; the Great depression; World War II; loss of her infant and teenage sons; husband's battle with cancer; economic challenges; and personal health issues and disability. Through all, she endured: her faith, love and devotion to family remained strong.
