Connie Monroe Teevan

Connie Monroe Teevan
1946-2006

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Mom, I love you.
	- Conor

I miss you so much already, Mom, I can't stand it. You are in my thoughts always.
	- Jaime

How I miss her. Instantly. She brought with her such elegance, humor, wit and intelligence. Such kindness and sweetness, too. I loved riding elephants with her at Marine World when we took our children there so long ago.
	- Amanda Hamilton

One of the kindest human beings I've ever had the pleasure to meet. With one glance she made you feel welcomed and part of her family. I miss her deeply.
	- Deborah Wynn

I am deeply saddened and am missing her she was one of the dearest persons and friend that I have ever known
	- Douglas Wynn

Connie, you were such a blessing to this world. One of our truest, finest angels. Thank you so much for the gift of your life. I miss you so much.
	- Jesse Ladomirak

Denny and I will forever remember Connie. She was so inspirational and beautiful...and such an incredible spirit. She gave us many examples of how to live. Our hearts go out to each of her children with deep sympathy, she was so proud of you and rightly so. Please know we are always available to you and will help in any way..forever. Our hearts are very heavy. She waited until June 15th to pass away. She was a wonderful gift to each of us.
	- Mary and Denny Dingman

Mom is/was an excellent scrabble player when it came to having too many O's and using words like "Tootaloo." Princess Tiger Lily I know will miss being sung "You Must've Been a Beautiful Baby" as if she were the fourth child (Noel the fifth). You gave me my manners, my honesty, my ability to read a million books and remember none, your gumbo recipe, my goofy style of humor, my adventurousness (even though you think that was dad's fault) but also the will to finish college, my sense of hospitality, my siblings, and Playstation so while I can't carry a tune I can still be a GuitarHero. Happy 60th birthday.
	- Brooks

On April 28th during my last visit to California, I spent the day with Connie. After the return of her illness, our friendship over the years had taken on a profound openness. We spoke of concerns intimate to both of us and, as always, Connie’s warm, nonjudgmental and insightful spirit altered and deepened the tenor of the communication. It was clear that she had done great inner work: she had faced with astonishing clarity the foreseen loss of anticipated experiences with her beloved children and transcended the suffering of knowing she would say goodbye to all she cherished. Many of our conversations in the last years revolved around Jaime, Alex and Griffin, Conor and Brooks. Connie loved them with unconditional love. What a vibrant legacy she and Jim have left. I shall miss her friendship and Don and I send our condolences to her family.
	- Karen and Don Handal

Dearest Connie, you welcomed me with open arms when Jim brought me home all scraggly and dirty from a day's work at "Teevan". When I was sure that he had had it with me, you reassured me and gave me the confidence to be myself. You brought such joy and so many smiles into my life. When Jesse and I feared, you comforted us and were our biggest fan. No Christmas party will ever be the same without you. I am forever in your debt and will cherish my time with you. Thank you.
	- Ben Ladomirak

As prepared as I was, it is still a huge shock to lose Connie. And what a loss! She was such a wonderful friend and you could ALWAYS rely upon her. I remember once when the kids were young, she had committed to coming to Yosemite with them. To make it she had to leave work at 7pm and drive until after midnight to get there, but she did it. Most people would have canceled. I can't even pin down what trait made her so wonderful. She was obviously bright and fun and thoughtful, but she also had this incredible honesty - she was the first to poke a hole at situation when others might have been pompous. Does that make sense? She also kept her humor until the end. She leaves a hole.
	- Susan Cook

Connie was such an elegant, dignified, authentic person who showed courage in everything. I have always looked forward to enjoying her marvelous company. We have sadly lost a very exceptional person.
	- Irene Holmes

Conor, Brooks and Jaime: Your Mom was a wonderful person – so smart, so kind and caring – who will be missed so deeply by so many. I am very thankful that I have had an opportunity to meet your Mom and to get to know her. I will cherish my memories of your Mom and I will always see her in each of you – in your smiles, your eyes and your hearts.
	- Yulia Garteiser

Dearest Connie, You got your wish: you always said you wanted to get your kids through college before you leave us. As Brooks graduates this week (with quite a large family turnout!), the Teevan progeny will surely carry on in the legacy you have left. All your friends share in the friendship we had with you. Each of us knows how much you loved your children appreciating each in his/her own special way. And that grandson! Griffin positively kept you going with his humor and antics. It is our duty to keep you alive in our daily life. We will cherish memories of shared experiences and take comfort in knowing you put up the bravest fight to the end. How much I cared for all that was YOU, dear friend. With love,
	- Shila Clement

Jaime and I were friends when we were little and through high school. I probably hadn't seen Connie in over 10 years. But even so, I still can't watch the Bay to Breakers and not think about the huge pasta dinners she used to cook us the night before the race when we were kids. I can't drive down Sacramento street without remembering the countless nights I spent in the Teevan house, and the endless care I was given while Jaime and I made up songs and played Nintendo. I'm not sure I knew her well, nor her me, but I always felt welcome, at peace, and at home in her home. Such are the lasting memories that can be imprinted forever by truly kind people.
	- Helen Pogrel

Mrs. T, Thanks for all of the warm hospitality, the food, the couch to sleep on, the diet cokes...I'm honored to have been a part of your life these past few years and will remember you always as someone who was kind beyond the ordinary, loving, strong and willing to have fun despite tough circumstances. You have raised a great family and my best friend.
	- Nick Halaris

to all of connie's family and especially nancy, clare just sent me the sad news and these wonderful pictures. i will always remember connie from her days at bryn mawr and her life-long friendship with my sister clare. she was so beautiful and fun and cool. she will be missed.
	- ann king marshall

Connie faced challenge after challenge with courage, optimism, and grace unlike anyone else I have ever known; at the same time she consistently demonstrated intense interest in/concern for so many other people, including me. I am so grateful for our time together.
	- Nina Pereira

Connie and I were both "new girls" at Bryn Mawr (The Bryn Mawr School for Girls in Baltimore, Md.) in 1961 as we began the VI Main, otherwise known as the 10th grade. We stayed friends for all the intervening years and Connie faithfully attended every BMS reunion, the last of which was in 2004. She looked fantastic and everyone was drawn to her, as usual. As the Class Secretary for Bryn Mawr for our year, I speak for the entire class in saying that we have lost a truly amazing classmate. Connie's courage and fortitude and tremendous will to live has enriched all of our lives and will continue to do so for many years to come. Her life and even her death should be an inspiration to us all.
	- Dottie Dowling, BMS '64

Connie, I will miss you so much; you were the greatest, a real inspiration, and a good friend.
	- Sally Sawhill Supplee

Connie was so accepting, gracious, entertaining, engaging. I so enjoyed the times I had with her when I was visiting Nina. I remember sitting on the porch reading the Sunday paper. Delightful conversations. My deepest sympathies to Jim and Connie's kids.
	- Greta Weisser (Nina's sister)

The Teevan house became my SF home. I spent many nights on the couch, sneezing and rubbing my eyes because of my allergies to the cats. On many mornings, while waiting for Conor to get up, I'd read the paper and visit with Connie in the kitchen. She was a wonderful listener, always so interested to hear the latest of my many and constantly changing plans - providing sage bits of advice to help me on my way. I'll miss those conversations.
	- JJ Dick

I was in Switzerland traveling with Emily when I received the news that Connie had passed. We both were overcome with such sadness. We began to recall so many wonderful and happy times we shared with her over the years. We are lucky that such a warm and spirited woman graced our lives. Connie, we will never forget your beautiful smile!
	- Ruy and Emily

Dear Brooks and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
	- Susan Dun

Connie was a very special aunt to me. The thing I admired most in her was her sense of humor. I remember in one visit to see her, she confessed to me that sometimes she would slip a little bit of meat in whatever Brooks was eating, and we had a little chuckle at this. Jaime, Conor, and Brooks I hope you know my heart and thoughts are with you and your mother. She was a wonderful woman.
	- Sophie Amoss

Oh dearest Connie, How I will miss you. Knowing you were holding down the West Coast with your never-ending strength and constancy was a source of great comfort to me. I began to miss our Bryn Mawr time together long ago, but now I am missing the whole of Constance Ellen Monroe Teevan. You were given a name that describes you to perfection. It has been an honor to have some of you, in Jaime, here in the East, and I found myself knocking on her door the day we lost you, just to be with a part of you. It was sadly fitting that she wasn't home. I hope there was some gentle peace for you in knowing that you had reached your sixtieth birthday. With all my love, Susie
	- Susie Grose Rioff

Connie, please call me on my cell. I've got some things I can't wait to tell you and I need some advice.
	- Nancy

Of the members of our family Anne knew Connie the best. Following the tradition of MCDS, the Marin kids had a home away from home with their city friends and vice versa, so I got to enjoy Jaime for her delightful spirit and Anne and Connie shared a special friendship, which also continued through U.H.S. I can't think of a better second mother for my daughter. Once when Anne was being buffeted in her moves between London and Tiburon, Connie looked at me and said, "Anne really has a strong spirit and sense of self to be able to adapt to these changes" Connie had a lovely insight into the trials people cope with, even before she bravely faced her own.
	- Elizabeth Moffet

I was extraordinarily lucky to grow up on Sacramento St. with the Teevans as my neighbors and dear friends. Connie was an amazing friend to my mother and my family as well as a mentor and a mother-figure to me. I thank her for inspiring me on my path to being a teacher. Connie was also one of the first women I knew who raised a family, went back to school and had a career - the ultimate role-model! She touched many lives including mine and I hope we can keep her memory and spirit alive.
	- Pha Pha Hamilton

Connie was a year ahead of Susan Cook and me at Vassar, so we spent 2 years in Lathrop House together. I didn't see Connie again after she graduated, so I only remember her as that beautiful, lovely, gracious young woman in the picture with her entire life ahead of her. By all accounts it was a truly wonderful life, albeit cut way too short. Susan Cook has kept me apprised of her illness over the last few years. I know Susan adored her and will miss her terribly. A couple of years ago, I noticed that Conor had been offered a job with my law firm in New York, but learned from Susan that he had decided to remain on the West coast to be near his mother. It was disappointing for us, but I'm sure he never regretted his decision for a moment. My heart goes out to both Conor and Jaime.
	- Susan Harrington

Connie was such a delightful person. She was always such a joy to spend time with. She touched all the people that encountered including my friends she only met several times. I will never forget her warm and loving ways. She will remain forever in my thoughts as such a wonderful person. All my love to Jaime, Connor, and Brooks.
	- Molly Pereira

Although I never knew Connie well, I admired her from afar, and this morning, looking for something else, I found this Whitman poem for her: "This is the hour O Soul, free flight into the wordless/Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done/You fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes you love best/Night, sleep, death and the stars."
	- Mayhill Fowler

My older sister, Ann Menge Loomis, was Connie's best friend at St. Martin's School in New Orleans until she moved to Baltimore. ( I believe 6th grade) In any case, I was the third wheel, the little sis tagging alone hoping to be let into the Connie/Ann sacred circle. They were three years ahead and oh so sophisticated! Connie was a beauty inside and out as a young girl. One time when we went to pick up my sister at the Monroe's house my father mistakenly left my little brother behind who was later found upstairs playing with Rusty! So many memories of the Monroe's in New Orleans in the 50's. Unfortunately I was never able to overcome the little sis status, and regrettably did not see enough of Connie in San Francisco all these years. We did have a laugh at Shila's lovely lunch about old times and little sister tales! My love to all of her children, she was a superb woman and Mom. I can feel her strength through the bright faces of her children and grandchild. Mary Morrow
	- Mary Menge Morrow

Connie had a number of remarkable traits but the ones that are most salient to me are her courage and grace. Despite her long battle with cancer, the generosity of her spirit and her devotion to her wonderful children never faltered. My heart goes out to Brooks, Conor and Jaime, but you have the legacy of your remarkable mother.
	- Nancy Adler

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I naturally talked about it with Connie at our book club, privately. Her advice to me was evidence of the courage she displayed throughout her illness. "You've got to be tough," she said, "you've got to be in charge." It was advice from her heart and from her personal experience, for she was both, for herself, her children and her grandchildren-to-be and the one that came whom she loved so. Sometimes Connie and I were the only ones in our book club who had finished the book, but she always made a joke of it or said that was because she had more time than the other working members. She was a delight to the end - and oh! how lucky you, her three children were, that she was so tough and in charge that she could hang in there to break records just to be with you longer.
	- Ruth S. Kadish

Connie was a special person-- truly courageous, funny, insightful, and forthright. I appreciated her views on life and the books that we read together through our book group. She took deep pride and pleasure in all of her children and, by extension, shared them with us so that we feel that connection still. We feel very fortunate for that and for the other ways she touched our lives. One of the original Sacramento St. gang that we first met almost 20 years ago, her spirit, along with Jim's, will always hover in the neighborhood.
	- Blodwen Tarter and Alan May

her ability to smile and encourage us to smile through it all is such an inspiration and invaluable life lesson. she is a true hero.
	- joelle

I shall always treasure Connie's infectious laugh and wit, gorgeous smile, gracious style, and never ending love of family and friends. I met Connie shortly before she and Jim were married. Jim Taylor and I were witnesses along with Sally, Jim, and Bill Rossi at City Hall in San Francisco. We returned to our flat for champagne and the Teevans took us to Tiburon for a celebratory dinner. This was the wonderful beginning of a most special friendship. We had no money but never felt poor -- there was music, raucous laughter at each other and The Establishment, wonderful dinners, competitive games (your dad, of course), sharing of literature, and the dreams of what was ahead for us. You children were thoroughly anticipated with all the love she and your dad could imagine. Along with my father and daughter Alison, I send heartfelt condolences. COMING OF AGE WITH CONNIE AND JIM WAS AN "A" TICKET! With love,
	- Mary Taylor

Connie was an inspiration to all who met her. We enjoyed being with her and her family at the Thanksgiving gatherings. We sent her pictures from Thanksgiving of Brooks, Conor and Connie. In return she sent a lovely thank you note and a picture of her grandchild and parents so we could know all the family. She was so proud of her family. In spite of her many health challenges, she showed great courage and determination. She was such fun to be with. We will miss her.
	- Nick and Cece Pereira

It was a pleasure, however brief, to have met the source of that unique spark I see within each of your family members. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for getting my back in Scrabble, and thank you for raising the most amazing woman I have ever met.
	- Matt

We are all of us lucky to know those rare persons who touch us so deeply and so profoundly that we can say, without hesitation, their presence has added eternal value and joy to our lives. Aunt Connie, thank you for being one of these people to me and for touching my life.
	- Kelly Melia-Teevan

How lucky our family has been to have joined the Teevan family through marriage. We have been blessed to know Connie since even before our son Alex married Jaime, and every moment we spent with her was wonderful. Connie was gracious, courageous, optimistic, thoughtful, and always an inspiration. Carol last spoke to Connie the week before her death, and Connie was full of plans to attend Brooks' graduation and was looking forward to the birth of the twins with joy. She has left all of us with a legacy of warmth, love and devotion to family, and that legacy will endure.
	- Carol, Alex and Pax Hehmeyer

Dear Jaime, Conor, Brooks, Nancy, Russ, and Kelly, We Bryn Mawr girls were so in awe of this southern belle from New Orleans. So sophisticated at 16, she looked like a model, and Connie attracted the boys like bees to honey. She had it all, beauty, humor, charm, and very smart. Her throaty laugh, her daring ways. Tall, graceful, and always kind. How she delighted in giving me weekly updates on you all. I’ll miss our coast to coast chats. She looked forward to seeing her Jim again. Now they are together. Wrap her strength around you and know that she is so proud of each of you and loves you so very much.
	- Carole Naquin

Conor, Jaime, Brooks, We will celebrate your mother today at Donner Lake. I remember a wildflower hike to Donner Summit. Naturally, she marched straight uphill despite the thin air and the toll the treatments had taken on her lungs. She's my idol for motherhood, grace, courage and integrity. Please be proud that the three of you gave her so much joy and both the will to struggle and the peace to pass the legacy on when she knew you had the strength to accept it. We all love you.
	- Dorothy

Dear Jaime, Connor, and Brooks.... I will make a quiet place up here in my Oregon woods to honor Connie today while you all gather for her. I send love to weave through the tender group. From meeting her at Vassar, to good times with her and Jim in 1969-70 in SF, to our Vassar 25th in 1993, to a couple of phone calls and always the most wonderful Christmas cards with photos of you guys growing up and her steady hand telling she was still here....Not a lot of contact, but enough to grasp and enjoy an inkling of what kind of person Connie embodied and her rich, fearless procession through her dear life. I'm grateful to have been on the planet the same time as Connie. Here's to you, dear Connie, and thank you for your remarkable life. And yes, I still have your footlocker from Vassar. Another gift of yours anchoring some of you in Oregon!
	- Quinton Hallett

Connie, you have long been my example. Through your way of life you taught me my manners and you taught me what is effective protest (when you felt the need to edit certain people’s vocabularies in the face of GagstaRAP). Fundamentally you taught me what true love is. You have lived a wonderful life full of love, inspiration, hard work, rewards and brilliant future generations. I hope to be as lucky as you and I will see you soon as I have seen you often in my day dreams. Love,
	- Max

It seems like yesterday when Brooks and I tip-toed into the Teevan household for fear of waking the slumbering queen. Low and behold, she awoke. Connie, without a question as to why we two returned home at the crack of dawn, laughed and set me up a bed for the night. This is a metaphor for Connie's life: Always welcoming people into her home, always tucking in her little ones--even when they seemed to be raising havoc. Brooks, you are such an amazing woman, and a magnificent reflection of your selfless mother. She will be greatly missed. I send my love to her, and you all.
	- Hillary Combs

Behind Connie's warm smile and flashing wit there loomed a strong and palpable moral force. When Jim first introduced me to her, more than forty years ago, it was at once clear that here was someone special and precious. She changed Jim's life immediately and forever and she had a profound effect on many others, as well. Connie was always a pleasure to be around. Her forbearance during the fifteen years of her struggle with cancer is a daunting lesson to us all. Her passing is a great loss and she is in my thoughts every day.
	- Jonathan McCormick

She always had a very wonderful glow about her. She had a way with words. You could just sit down and talk about live and she made it so wonderful. She's Like a beautiful blue flower that BLOOMS . I miss her so much but I know she's here looking over use all.
	- Alfie Hamilton

Dear Jaime, Connor and Brooks, I feel lucky to have known your mother and father - Connie and Jim - and the three of you since you were tots at Pheobe Hearst. I've always admired Connie for her calm and sweet demeanor which made everyone around her comfortable and happy. I knew her as a parent, a teacher, an active community member and a friend. I will miss her. My heart goes out to you for having lost both parents so early in life, though you were fortunate to have had two of the best. I write this with love and admiration for all of your family.
	- Else Townsend

Taking care of Lily and the cats was always a highlight in my day. I always got so excited when I saw your number on my caller I.D. You would always ask me, "Are you sick of Lily yet cause i'm going traveling again!" Looking thru your photo albums, I must say that you lived the most wonderful life a person could live. You saw everything you wanted to see, went anywhere and everywhere your heart desired, and were constantly surrounded by those who loved you. I admired you more than you will ever know. It's funny, I had a dream about you the other night, befor I learned of your passing. I was at your house and you were going over the feeding instructions for everyone and telling me, as you always did, "Now, you eat whatever from the fridge because it will go bad if you don't" You just kept smiling and laughing. Thank you for all the great memories. You will always be in my heart!
	- Jenn

I'm very sad that Connie Teevan is no longer with us, and as always, grateful for her calm, gracious, compassionate, and wise neighborly presence in our lives. Someone who gave so much of herself can never be completely absent, but we will miss her terribly.
	- Jonas Hamilton

Her children have lost a loving and supportive mother, and her friends have lost a very cherished companion. We are all a little less for losing someone with so much grace, intelligence, and love of life.
	- Beth Jay

I'm so lonely without you here with me. I'm watching Monk with Lily right now but it's not the same without you. Nothing is :(
	- Brooks

Connie was a dear friend that I didn't get to see very often....we attended St. Martin's in New Orleans together and spent many weekends having fun...my first spin the bottle kiss was at Connie's house and we each had a "Poor Pitiful pear" doll which filled many hours with play....so you can see my growing up years are filled with Connie memories....she was a lovely, brave, kind and fun being.......I send my Love to you kids....I know you will miss her deeply
	- Ann Menge Loomis

Of all my childhood friends' mothers, Connie was truly a standout. Some of my favorite memories about Connie involve, oddly enough, donuts. For example, Connie created a wonderful secret tradition wherein the first Thursday of each month was deemed Donut Day, and she would take Jaime and me to the donut shop to take our pick before dropping us off at our gymnastics class. I also remember many years of running Bay to Breakers and knowing that at the end, we would come back to the Teevan home to find a glorious spread of donuts waiting in honor our accomplishment. Connie had a way of making everything tremendously fun and exciting while still being a solid figure that one could count on for guidance and wisdom. I will remember Connie always as a kind, creative, attentive, and deeply loving mother who made a home at which I always felt welcome and included.
	- Megan McNamara

Connie could pack a universe worth of warmth into the gentlest smile, the most unadorned comment; she deeply cared about people and it showed, it was nothing she did, it was simply who she was. I miss her candid, smart, funny conversation and her radiant company. I am lucky to have been able to know such an incredible person and see in her not only those things but also her amazing courage.
	- Abigail Hamilton

Happy birthday, Mom. I'm thinking of you today. I remember getting married on this day, five years ago. And a year ago I remember being on bedrest, pregnant with twins and stuck in Boston as my heart broke when the phone rang with a message I knew I didn't want. What an emotional, jam packed day today is. I wish you could have met Cale and Dillon. You'd love them so much, nothing's as cute as the two of them together. Griffin picked out a special toy for his Mamou when I told him today was your birthday. He still laughs like you.
	- Jaime (June 15, 2007)