Cornelia "Connie" Jones Bloxom

Cornelia (Connie) Jones Bloxom passed away at home on August 16, 2026, at the age of 92. Connie was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania on November 10, 1933. She grew up in Brookfield Township and spent much of her youth at her family’s golf course, Yankee Run, which was designed by her father William Jones on the family farm. She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader.

Connie followed in her father’s footsteps to Cornell University where she graduated with a B.A. in home economics, specializing in clothing and textiles. It was at Cornell that Connie met her husband of more than 70 years, Jack. They were married on June 16, 1955, with their college friends and family in attendance. Connie designed and made her wedding dress, as well as Jack’s wedding Jacket. They started the life adventure together by driving from Ohio to Yakima in their Chevy station wagon.

While Jack was getting started in his fruit growing career, Connie settled into Yakima as they started a family. From the beginning of their marriage, Connie was a dedicated supporter of Jack’s fruit-growing career, including industry-related activities. At the same time, they were making new friends as a couple and exploring activities like tennis, and they were one of the first members of the Yakima Tennis Club in 1957.

In the late 50’s, Connie joined the Junior Aid organization which opened up the community to her, and for several years this was her primary community involvement while raising their young children. As the children grew, she became more involved in different activities, she was right there for many years, being a regular swim team carpool member for the YMCA swim team, horse show companion for daughter Ann, and host for son David’s rock band in the basement of their Linden Way home.

She was a skilled bridge player, often partnering with Virginia Gilbert and successfully competing in their Bridge Club events.

In 1972, Connie was one of the founding members of Town Hall, which continues today in the Capitol Theatre. She also became active in the United Good Neighbors (United Way) where she served on the board for many years eventually serving as Chair of the Admissions and Allocations Committee. Then in 1978, she became the first female Board Chair for the organization. This led to committee service with the state organization for the UGN.

In 2025, the United Way of Central Washington named their Community Service award, "The Jack & Connie Community Service Award" in recognition of Connie’s service on the board, their long-time support of the United Way and all of the other organizations in the Yakima Valley.

Connie served on the KYVE board from 1984-1994 and then joined the board of KCTS when the two organizations merged. She was fully committed to bringing quality public television to the area and co-led a capital campaign to fund a new TV antenna to the valley for digital and high-definition TV. She and Marky Smith organized the enormously successful Kaleidoscope event which won them a national PBS development award.

As a couple, Connie and Jack’s dedication to service and commitment to philanthropy and their community was their legacy in the Yakima Valley. They supported many well-respected organizations in the areas of education, the arts, social services, and the environment.

While Jack served on the board of directors for Heritage University and led their first capital campaign, Connie supported his efforts by hosting donor receptions at their home along with University President, Dr. Kathleen Ross. With their passion for education, they also supported Yakima Valley College, Perry Institute, and Pacific Northwest University.

With a love of music, Connie and Jack annually sponsored concerts for the Yakima Symphony orchestra, starting in 1999. They regularly supported the Symphony's annual fund, Conductors Circle and the annual fundraiser “Raise the Baton”. They also loved the Opera, traveling to the Seattle Opera performances, as well as sponsoring the Seattle Opera and Seattle Opera Young Artists performances with the YSO.

Connie enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their home. She was an outstanding cook and often partnered with John Gasperetti and Brad Patterson, creating amazing events, as well as multiple dinners that were auctioned off at the Yakima Rotary auctions.

She also enjoyed entertaining friends and family on their boat. While Jack was focused on the navigation and piloting of the boat, Connie prepared outstanding meals and was an excellent first mate.

Connie thoroughly enjoyed designing their Yakima and Orcas Island homes. Her attention to detail could be found in both homes, and her knowledge of textiles could be found in the wonderful fabrics she selected for the furniture.

Together Connie and Jack were awarded the Ted Robertson Community Service award of Community Service by the Yakima Chamber of Commerce in 2018, where they were able to celebrate with the community, and their family.

Connie is survived by her daughter Ann Caldwell (Donald), son David Bloxom (Bonnie Fletcher), grandchildren Ariel Caldwell, Peter Caldwell (Kathryn Hayes), Ashley Tharp-Bloxom (Emilio Sansone) and Addison Bloxom, brother Roger Jones (Linda) and 5 nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Connie is preceded in death by her husband Jack who passed away in December of 2025, as well as her parents William and Mary Jones.

The family is incredibly grateful for the constant support and care from Mark Lemke, a 47-year employee of the family business, but more importantly a close family friend. He assisted Jack for years as he was aging and watched over Connie daily since Jack’s passing.

We have also been blessed with care of the ladies of Visiting Angels. They have been providing a comfortable and caring environment for her in the home partnership with Northwest Nursing Services. In March, Heartlinks Hospice joined the Connie care team, and through the commitment of all these people, the family has been well supported.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrance be made to Heritage University, United Way or an organization where you can continue in the Bloxom's footsteps in supporting and improving the Yakima area communities.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Connie on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 4105 Richey Rd, Yakima, WA 98908, at 11:00 am with a reception immediately following at the Yakima Country Club, 500 Country Club Dr, Yakima, WA 98901.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at keithandkeith.com for the Bloxom family.