Constance Eloise Lorenz

Connie Lorenz, 76, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, with her husband and daughter at her side. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Connie will always be remembered for her optimism, strength and kindness.

Connie was born February 21, 1949 to David and Wilma Houston. She grew up in Sedro-Woolley with her older brother Lloyd and her younger sister Christie. After graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School, Connie went to work at Nordstrom.

Connie met Mark Lorenz in Kent at a dance. He noticed her beautiful smile and fell in love with her for her sweetness. They married on November 8, 1969. This year they would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Mark and Connie adopted their daughter, Carleigh, in 1983. Connie was the best mom. She fostered a love of reading by reading to Carleigh and always having good books to read. Some of Carleigh’s best childhood memories are going to the library with her mom. Connie inspired Carleigh with her strength and eternal optimism. Carleigh says her mom is her hero.

Connie was the first executive director for the Olympia Downtown Association. Her passion for downtown, small business, historical preservation and community served downtown very well for 16 years. Connie was honored as the Olympia Downtown Association’s Person of the Year for her years of service as Executive Director.

Connie retired in 2014 and she and Mark moved to Chelan, where the family had vacationed for years. Connie may have been nervous about leaving Olympia, where she had lived for 31 years, but she enthusiastically embraced the change and made a new life for herself and Mark in Chelan, then Manson and East Wenatchee.

Connie made friends everywhere she went. She maintained lifelong friendships with friends she met in elementary school. Connie enjoyed traveling, especially with her Ya Yas, Kernie, Sandy, Tracy and Sue. She loved vacationing at Lake Chelan every year, often meeting up with lifelong friends Barb and Lew.

Connie enjoyed volunteer work. She participated in Seattle Milk Fund, volunteered for the Christmas Forest and was very dedicated to Rotary, both in Olympia and Chelan. She received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Olympia Rotary Club. She loved to read, play tennis, bake, try new recipes and spend time with friends and family.

Connie was a caring and involved mother-in-law and grandmother. She loved her granddaughter Eloise, who is named after her, with all her heart. She loved spending time with Eloise: reading, singing, taking walks and practicing yoga. She loved cooking and baking with her son-in-law, Kris.

Connie is survived by her husband, Mark; daughter, Carleigh; son-in-law, Kris; granddaughter, Eloise; brother, Lloyd; sister, Christie; brother-in-law, Tony; best friend, Kernie; and numerous family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, David, and mother, Wilma.

It is impossible to summarize the life of such an incredible woman in just a few paragraphs. Connie impacted everyone she met. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She will be so missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Connie may be made to the Winnifred Olsen Scholarship Fund at the Olympia Rotary Foundation. Donations in memory of Connie may be made at the link below:

Connie Lorenz Memorial Donation

Donations may also be sent to:

Olympia Rotary Foundation

PO Box 7323

Olympia, WA 98507-7323