Constance Visart Baumgartner

Our beloved, Constance "Connie" Baumgartner, also lovingly known as, “Ton” and “Bee” passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, at the age of 89 while residing at Merced Senior Living, where she had received loving care for the past 13 months. During her final months, she was surrounded by family and friends whose visits brought her comfort and joy. Her daughter, Frances, visited several times each day, often accompanied by her husband, George, whose devotion and support meant so much to Connie and the entire family.

Connie was born in Chuquicamata, Chile, to Dr. Alfonso and Catherine Darricades. She spent her childhood there with her sister, Renee, while her youngest sister, Jeanne, affectionately known as "Gigi," was born after Connie had left to attend college. From an early age Connie excelled academically. She attended Santiago College in Chile before continuing her education at Elmwood High School, a boarding school in Canada, where she graduated with high honors. She went on to attend the prestigious Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in Montreal, serving on the student council during her training before earning her Registered Nurse credential.

Nursing was more than a profession for Connie; it was her calling. She began her career at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital before returning to her hometown of Chuquicamata, where she continued caring for patients at the Roy H. Glover Hospital, the medical center serving the copper mining community.

It was in Chuquicamata that Connie met the love of her life, Ed Baumgartner. Their marriage of 62 years was built on love, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to family. Ed quickly became a cherished member of Connie's close-knit family, embracing her parents and sisters as his own. Together they welcomed three children Holly, Frances, and Scott, while living in Chile.

As their children approached school age, Connie and Ed made the difficult decision to leave Chile in search of new educational opportunities for their family. Ed's mining career first brought them to Arizona before settling in Cupertino, California, where they spent the next twenty-two years building a home filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

Connie continued her nursing career in California, first providing private duty nursing to patients who often came to think of her as a member of their own family. She later joined Doctors Rapport and Kates' medical practice in Los Altos, where she cared for patients for over 11years. When her first grandchild arrived and her own parents began to require more assistance, Connie chose to retire from nursing so she could devote herself fully to caring for those she loved. She and Ed moved to Merced, where they remained close to their growing family while caring for Connie's parents during their later years.

As her grandchildren began to arrive, Connie decided that "Grandma Baumgartner" simply wouldn't do. Wanting something unique and affectionate, she chose the nickname "Bee," a playful shortening of Baumgartner. Before long, not only her grandchildren but much of the family lovingly knew her simply as "Bee", a name that reflected the warmth, energy, and love she brought to everyone around her much like a honeybee.

Whether in a hospital, a doctor's office, a patient's home, or her own home, Connie dedicated her life to caring for others. Her compassion, gentle spirit, and quiet strength defined both her professional and personal life. She possessed a remarkable ability to make people feel safe, valued, and loved. She cared for her patients with extraordinary kindness, raised her children with unwavering devotion, and lovingly supported her parents as they aged. Caring for others was not simply what she did, it was who she was.

Connie is survived by her three children: Holly Sproule; Frances Kollmann-Gallegos and her husband, George Gallegos; and Scott Baumgartner and his wife, Laura Baumgartner. She was the proud grandmother of Drew Kollmann, Jacob Sproule,Francisca Gallegos-Abel, Margaret Sproule-Wilson, Brett Kollmann,Samantha Gallegos-Miller, Taylor Kollmann, Elsie Baumgartner, and Ashley Baumgartner. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ed, two sisters Renee Cox and Jeanne Darricades, son in law Steve Sproule and grandson Daniel Sproule. Connie was also blessed with great-grandchildren Stevie Sproule, Emily Bueso(Kollmann), Joey Bueso(Kollmann),Brody Kollmann, Lexi Sproule, Aldon Abel, DJ Abel. They brought immeasurable joy to her life and remained at the center of her heart every day.

Connie will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and joyful spirit. Friends quickly became family in her presence, and everyone who knew her felt welcomed and cared for. Her home was rarely quiet. Her children fondly remember hearing her sing as she moved through the house, filling ordinary days with music. One of her favorite morning songs was "Rise and Shine," and every Christmas season the house came alive with the carols she loved so dearly. Those melodies became part of the soundtrack of her family's life and remain among their most treasured memories.

While Ed often provided the steady hand, Bee brought laughter, encouragement, and lightness that made life's challenges easier to bear. She believed deeply in making memories together, encouraging family vacations, celebrations, and adventures that have become treasured stories spanning generations. Proud of her Chilean heritage, she remained fluent in Spanish throughout her life and delighted in sharing her culture with family and friends.

Above all else, Connie's greatest accomplishment was the family she helped build. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a nurse, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She showed us that the greatest expression of love is caring for others with patience, kindness, and grace. Though she will be deeply missed, her example of selfless love will continue to guide her family for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life for Constance Baumgartner is scheduled at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home 1490 B St. Merced California. October 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

The family requests in lieu of flowers please make donations to:

New Beginnings for Merced County Animals

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