Constance Gard

Connie was born on July 6, 1950, in Germany to John and Barbara Bristol. John, a Captain in the US Airforce, was stationed in Germany at the time.

Connie was raised in Roxbury, Connecticut. Following graduation from high school she lived briefly in Greenwich Village before moving to Watertown, New York. It was there she met and married Jerry Gard. They owned three successful Hallmark Card stores.

Following Jerry’s retirement they relocated to Tucson, Arizona to be near family. After a few years they parted.

Connie was employed by The University of Arizona as a laboratory technician in animal research. She retired after 10 years.

In June of 2024 Connie and Paul Nixon were married. They had known each other for 30 years and been together for 14 years.

Throughout her life Connie was devoted to her many dogs. She bred, raised and loved her Bull Mastiffs, Shar-Peis and French Bulldogs like the family they were.

With her indomitable spirit and perseverance, Connie became a well-respected dog handler as well as a Judge for the American Kennel Club. She traveled the United States participating in dog shows, something she loved very much. Connie was always there to help with any canine concern and frequently coached other handlers.

Connie enjoyed hiking. She, along with Bonnie, her sister, and Eric, her nephew, hiked the Grand Canyon three times, creating treasured family memories.

Connie and Bonnie took a long-anticipated cruise to Alaska in 2025. It fulfilled a dream for them both.

Connie and Paul shared many dog show adventures in their motor home which they loved. They enjoyed their life together at home in Catalina, Arizona as well as at their place in Showlow, Arizona.

Connie is survived by her husband, Paul Nixon, who was at her side when she died. She is also survived by:

Sisters: Bonnie Knobloch, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Katharine Bristol of Alameda, California. Nephew: Eric Lindstrom and his wife, Lindsay Lindstrom and grandnephews Jack Lindstrom and Luke Lindstrom of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Connie also leaves behind the love of many devoted friends who stood by her during her long and difficult health journey. They adored her and she…them.

Other survivors include her canine family, Captain, Tenille and Whisper, as well as Cash, Justify and Rio who predeceased her.

Connie’s ashes will join those of her beloved dogs in the Catalina Mountains.