Connie Claire Arnold
is honored with a Brick from Justus Fugate, Owen & Susan Sutter, Kristen Simpson, Dick & Marlys Johnson, Kathleen K. Thomas, Gacin Barkett, Jonathan Warman, Claire Boland, Michael Boland, August Boland, Sharon Heiman, Ann N. Child Smith
Wichita State University
Plaza of Heroines
Connie Claire Arnold was honored by her family and friends for who she was- a strong and independent woman.
After graduating from Wichita High School East in 1955 she attended the Wesley School of Nursing and received her nursing diploma in 1958. For the next 22 years, she-did-it-all in a 45 bed Western Kansas hospital. This included surgery, OB/GYN, cardiac, pediatrics, emergency room and charge. She raised three children while working.
Connie returned to Wichita in 1980 to further her education. She was a proud graduate of Newman University first Bachelor of Science in Nursing class 1984. After graduation, she worked for several years as a critical care nurse at Wesley Medical Center. In addition, she taught in the Butler County Junior College CNA/CMA nursing program. Remarkably, she achieved a 100% graduation rate with her first class of students, most of which were of poor and minority status.
She was an active community volunteer for numerous organizations including The Center for the Arts, Child Guidance Center, Historical Museum, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Art Museum, Exploration Place and as a Master Gardner with Botanica. She also enjoyed being a Sweet Adeline and a volunteer model.
Her artistic and practical skills seemed without equal and included painting, sculpting, sewing, interior decorating and all aspects of home repair and improvement. In fact her friends found it easier to identify the one thing she could not do-father a child. For some things, even Connie Claire was born too soon. She was known as an imaginative entertainer who for twenty years hosted a well known Christmas in July party. In addition, she took great delight in fishing and foreign travel.
Beyond strong and independent Connie Claire was an energetic, dramatic, and captivating woman who enthusiastically loved all aspects of life. Her talents seemed limitless.
Written with love by
Justus Fugate
December 2007
