Trinity Lutheran Community Food Pantry Connie E. Bailey Memorial Fund
Fund Type
Designated
Designated
Established
09/13/2007
09/13/2007
Purpose
To support the community food pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church in memory of Connie E. Bailey
To support the community food pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church in memory of Connie E. Bailey
Story
Connie & Gary Bailey had the kind of love affair that can be envied. It was a union of enduring love, support and compassion. They met in 11th grade and their hearts became sealed. While Gary served in Vietnam he carried Connie’s picture with him everywhere – as you can tell by the tattered edges of that precious photograph. It took some convincing when he returned from the war (she thought he was too wild when he got back) but she softened and they married in 1968. Connie worked as a dental assistant for 30 years, with the last eight years for Dr. Daniel Hasty of Shelby. She was known for her friendly smile and kind and compassionate nature – freely holding the hands of anxious patients. She was a tender loving mother to three children and a devoted wife to Gary. Content to play a board game with the kids and “let them win” and willing to move with Gary as his career grew over the years. Her gentle loving spirit showed itself often, even as her dreadful disease took her in slow degrees over the past seven years that she battled Alzheimer’s. Gary, in turn, showed that same compassion and goodness in caring for Connie through that time. Many marveled at the heroism of Gary in how he balanced his responsibilities at work and care for his beloved wife. Gary brought Connie to Foundation board meetings, bank meetings & functions and she participated to the degree she was able. She also continued to sing in the choir, volunteer at the hospital and help with Trinity’s food pantry with the support of her many friends. Connie gave her final gift to Gary just moments before she passed, when she miraculously spoke after having not uttered anything for the last 4 months. From the tangled web of her ailing brain and in her final breaths, she formed the words and repeated them several times - “I’m fine.” Truly - an astonishing gift. Gary decided to name the Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry as the memorial for Connie and the community gave generously. The pantry manager, Mary Lou Huggins, suggested they set up a permanent endowment fund, which is called the Trinity Lutheran Community Food Pantry Connie E. Bailey Memorial Fund. Gary and his family are pleased to support the ongoing needs of the people that the pantry serves and to honor Connie’s legacy at the pantry and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Connie & Gary Bailey had the kind of love affair that can be envied. It was a union of enduring love, support and compassion. They met in 11th grade and their hearts became sealed. While Gary served in Vietnam he carried Connie’s picture with him everywhere – as you can tell by the tattered edges of that precious photograph. It took some convincing when he returned from the war (she thought he was too wild when he got back) but she softened and they married in 1968. Connie worked as a dental assistant for 30 years, with the last eight years for Dr. Daniel Hasty of Shelby. She was known for her friendly smile and kind and compassionate nature – freely holding the hands of anxious patients. She was a tender loving mother to three children and a devoted wife to Gary. Content to play a board game with the kids and “let them win” and willing to move with Gary as his career grew over the years. Her gentle loving spirit showed itself often, even as her dreadful disease took her in slow degrees over the past seven years that she battled Alzheimer’s. Gary, in turn, showed that same compassion and goodness in caring for Connie through that time. Many marveled at the heroism of Gary in how he balanced his responsibilities at work and care for his beloved wife. Gary brought Connie to Foundation board meetings, bank meetings & functions and she participated to the degree she was able. She also continued to sing in the choir, volunteer at the hospital and help with Trinity’s food pantry with the support of her many friends. Connie gave her final gift to Gary just moments before she passed, when she miraculously spoke after having not uttered anything for the last 4 months. From the tangled web of her ailing brain and in her final breaths, she formed the words and repeated them several times - “I’m fine.” Truly - an astonishing gift. Gary decided to name the Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry as the memorial for Connie and the community gave generously. The pantry manager, Mary Lou Huggins, suggested they set up a permanent endowment fund, which is called the Trinity Lutheran Community Food Pantry Connie E. Bailey Memorial Fund. Gary and his family are pleased to support the ongoing needs of the people that the pantry serves and to honor Connie’s legacy at the pantry and Trinity Lutheran Church.