Constance C Wayman

Connie Wayman, 68, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 8 with family at home.

Connie was born on February 20, 1958, in Chicago, the daughter of Eugene and Rita (Syzmandera) Klimczak. She grew up in the Chicago neighborhood of Brighton Park and attended Kelly High School where she was a cheerleader, twirling majorette, and dancer in school musicals, graduating in 1976. Due to her family’s financial challenges, she decided to forgo college at that time and started her career at the First National Bank of Chicago.

On her first day of work at the bank, she met her husband-to-be, Tim. While they did not immediately go out together, glances and flirting continued over the next 12 months until their first official date. The couple got engaged the following year and married in 1979.

In addition to stints at First National Bank and Sears Bank, Connie attended Ray Vogue School of Design and worked in advertising. During this period, she also began her active role as a volunteer, serving on committees and eventually becoming president of the Mount Prospect Junior Women’s Club. Later, she attended Evelyn Echols Travel School and became a corporate travel agent until son Alex was born in 1985.

Working as a stay-at-home mom while Alex was in school, Connie became more active in community and school affairs. She participated on School District 25 committees and was a classroom volunteer and Art Mom, eventually becoming PTA president at both Greenbrier Elementary and Thomas Middle Schools. With District 214, she also served as president of the Buffalo Grove High School PTO.

After Alex graduated from high school and moved on to the University of Illinois, Connie worked with neighbors and friends at a gift card fundraising/scrip company. She later worked as a CPR instructor for the Red Cross, traveling around the region to lead classes at various organizations.

After joining St. John UCC Arlington Heights in 1999, Connie became very involved in serving on committees at the church including Christian Education, Mission, Altar Guild, and many others. For three years, she served as moderator, the elected layperson leader of the church. She also was a great social justice activist, volunteering with Community Renewal Society to support various causes including advocating for children of the incarcerated, lobbying in Springfield for several different causes, and co-chairing a huge MLK Day event on Chicago’s West Side.

Connie was an active volunteer locally for FamilyForward, acting as a family mentor and serving the organization in many other roles.

Connie enjoyed dinners and holidays (especially hosting Thanksgiving) with family and friends, travel with memorable trips to Italy and Hawaii, movies, reading, golf, cheering on local sports teams including the White Sox and Bears, and helping those who were less fortunate or oppressed.

Connie is survived by her husband of 47 years, Tim, and son, Alex, of Chicago. Other living relatives include brothers Mike (Kathy) and Bill, sister Catherine (Jonathan), and five nieces and nephews.

Visitation Friday August 14 from 4-8pm at Lauterburg&Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway Arlington Heights, IL. Funeral Saturday from 9am until time of service 10am at St John United Church of Christ,308 Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. Entombment Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to FamilyForward (https://family-forward.org), St. John UCC Arlington Heights (https://stjah.org), or the Cancer Research Institute (https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org).