Connie Rose Nye

Connie Rose Nye died peacefully, at age 89, on October 2, 2026, at Fieldstone Memory Care, in Olympia Washington. This followed a five year journey with Alzheimer's disease accompanied by her daughter Annette and family. She was born on May 12, 1937, in Delano, California farm country, with the birth name Concetta Rose DiGiorgio. She was the last of four children from parents Vincenzo “Vincent” DiGiorgio (1906-1963) and Serafina “Fay” Muffoletto (1910-2002). First born sibling, Maria Antionette (1929-2003), born in Italy, married Charles Griffith (1935-2011) in Bakersfield, California and gave birth to Mary who married Bill Dee and birthed sons Rob and Christopher. Charles and Maria’s second daughter Kathy McTaggart, gave birth to a son named Kenneth.

Connie’s brother Gioacchino “Gino” DiGiorgio (1930-2015), born in Italy, married Joan Keeney (1932-2022) of Bakersfield and had daughters Sara (Barbara) DiGiorgio, Teresa (Ken) Hayworth and Gina (Guy) Raynor. Her second brother Salvatore “Sam” DiGiorgio (1932-2020), was born in New York, and married Kathy Manning (1937-2021) and had three children. Vincent married Chris Barrien and had two children, Justin and Jessica. Laura married Jeff Reinig and had two sons, Matt and Jake. Sam’s youngest daughter, Debbie Gomes, recently lost her beloved husband Greg.

The young DiGiorgio family came across the Atlantic Ocean on the Passenger ship called the SS Vulcania in 1931 to New York City. Then moved from New York to California in 1935 where they settled onto family land, owned by Giuseppe “Joseph” Digiorgio (1874-1951) at DiGiorgio Farms (1920-1962). Connie’s father, Vincent DiGiorgio was employed as the winery foreman and Connie worked summers in the grape packing sheds. Her mother Serafina DiGiorgio was a talented, sought-after seamstress, learning the trade as a teenager in Cefalu, Italy. Connie grew up on the farm with her best friends who are still regarded as aunts by her children: Carol Ragland (1937-2002) and Kay DeSmet. Connie graduated from Arvin High School in 1954 with both Carol and Kay and then went on with Kay to San Jose State University. Carol married Kirk Ragland, also from DiGiorgio Farms, and had four daughters: Robin Harlan, Konni Ollivier, Kara Lack, and Jennifer Arriaga. Kay survives both Connie and Carol, and has recently relocated from Pismo Beach back to Bakersfield.

Connie met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Gene Nye (1934- 2005) and father of her two children Annette Marie Nye and Robert “Rob” Micheal Nye, in San Jose California, the late 1950s, where she was teaching elementary school after graduating from San Jose State University. Bob worked at Lockheed Martin after serving in the Navy. They married in 1960 and bought a home in Campbell, California. In 1968-69, Bob felt the call to return home to Idaho and moved his young family to Clarkston, Washington. The family there included Arlee Nye (Blewett) (1914-1998), her late husband Alvin “Mike” Nye (1908-1964) and his sister Doris (1935-2014) and husband James Grow Sr. (1932-1995) including children James (Debbie) Grow, Julie (Robert) Dague, Mike (Becky) Grow, and Patty (Paul) McNish. Also brother, Melvin “Mel” Nye and wife Roberta “Birdie” (1941-2021) and their children Ernie (Vicky) Nye, Kari (Dan) Favor, Mike (Janeen) Nye, and Michelle (Dave) Redinger.

Connie raised her kids in the Lewis Clark Valley, from 1969-1984, working as administrative support for Bob’s business, Kennedy’s Equipment. She socialized in a women’s sorority group, bridge group and also allowed plenty of time for family camping, horse 4-H, gardening, leading girl scout troops, indulging motorcycle adventures, fishing, swim lessons, and other activities. Connie was devoted to Holy Family Catholic church and school, throughout the 70s, 80s and into the 90s. After completing her Master’s in Education degree from WSU, she worked at Holy Family School until 1989-90. After a divorce with Bob, she returned to Bakersfield, California and worked in the public school district for decades, teaching 2nd grade. There, she was a member of St. Phillip’s Catholic church and continued in the sorority as president of her chapter.

Connie’s son Rob married Wendy Snodderly in the late 1980s and had a daughter named Lynsey Marie (Burnham) who is 35 years old and has her own two children, Abby 15 and Jack 2. Rob later married Joy Hanson and she birthed twins Ashley Marie & Anthony 24 years old and Alyssa Rose 20. She also had step-grandchildren named Seth and Alexis from Joy’s previous marriage. Daughter Ashley married Josh Siegfried of Mishicot, Wisconsin, where they reside, and he is a wonderful addition to Rob’s family. Rob’s family home is along the Clearwater River, in Lewiston Idaho, where he has managed his own business called Rob’s Amusement, for over 30 years. Rob’s family has the greatest memories of going to Disneyland with Gramma Connie, several times over the years. Christmas at Rob’s included maximum Christmas decorations that never ceased to delight Connie. A favorite Christmas memory was attending midnight mass with Rob and his family at Holy Family Church.

Connie’s daughter, Annette, married Kenneth “Scot” McQueen of Canon City, Colorado. Together, Annette and Scot have two children Hannah Serafina McQueen 34, and Tara Rose McQueen 30. They have made Olympia, Washington their home for over 30 years. Annette has recently retired as a librarian, and still works part-time teaching yoga classes. Scot recently retired from a career in natural resource geography and now plays in his new shop, restores an old Nordic Tug, and plans salmon fishing trips. Annette’s family has wonderful memories of exploring coastal Washington with Gramma Connie during the summer and every other Christmas, alternating with Rob’s family, for decades. Favorite Christmas memories include attending live plays at the Harlequin Theater in Olympia and the Nutcracker Ballet in Seattle.

Connie was loved by all, whether in California, Washington, Idaho, or traveling foreign countries! She left quite a signature with her bubbly, positive spirit which shined through in all that she did. She made others feel welcomed and included, organized gatherings, holidays, birthday parties, cooked the big meal, participated weekly in church, and entertained everyone with her quick wit and sense of humor. She possessed a readiness to travel, adventure, explore and just have fun. Even in her last year of life, she was ready to go do something every day!

Connie is preceded in death by her parents Vince & Fay DiGiorgio, Bob’s parents Mike and Arlee Nye, his sister Doris Grow and husband James. Also, Connie's siblings Maria and Chuck Griffith, Gino and Joan DiGiorgio, Sam and Kathy DiGiorgio, great-nephew Rob Dee, niece Debbie's husband Greg Gomes and her lifelong, dear friend Carol Ragland.

There will be mass for Connie Rose Nye, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut Street, in Clarkston Washington, on Friday, November 6th at 11:00AM. Luncheon reception to follow. All who knew and loved Connie and family are invited to join the event. A private internment with family members follows at a later date, as she is laid to rest with Robert Gene Nye in the Juliaetta, Idaho cemetery. May they be at peace in heaven together until we all join them again.