Constance Bluette Bourrette Neilson passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on March 23, 2023 in Mission Viejo, California.

Connie was born during the great depression on February 28, 1934 to Donald and Florence Bourrette in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Glendale with her older sister Jackie. Though times were tough, her mother brought joy into their home in simple ways, like allowing the girls to roller-skate around their small home on the linoleum floors. Connie and her friends loved to go to the beach. She especially enjoyed going to the pier on Venice Beach. She would stand in the doorway of the Aragon Ballroom and listen to The Lawrence Welk Band. She graduated from Glendale High School in 1952.

Connie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a child she would attend Primary and later youth activities with her future husband, Donald Neilson. On July 3, 1952 the high school sweethearts were married in the LDS St. George Temple. Shortly after their marriage, Don joined the Air Force. This gave the young newlyweds the opportunity to travel across the country and see many great sites.

Motherhood was always her greatest desire. However, she was told by doctors that she would never be able to bear children. Through her disappointment and sadness, Connie kept her faith and her focus on the Savior and her love for Him. Five years and countless prayers later, she became pregnant with her first child. Over the next eleven years, Connie would be heard to say many times, “Today is the day they give babies away!” Five boys and three girls filled the Neilson home and her heart.

Connie will be most remembered for her kindness, charity and unconditional love. Her testimony of the Savior shone brightly in her endless service to all, whether friend, family or stranger.

Connie tended to and loved her rose gardens and their beautiful pink roses. Just as she was quick to share a kind word and her beautiful smile, she was also quick to share her roses and the joy they brought her. A visit to Grandma’s often ended with trimming off a rose and wrapping its stem in a wet paper towel and foil to be taken home and enjoyed there.

Although almost 71 years had passed since they said “I do,” the love and dedication between Connie and Don remained strong. Through the last and difficult months, Don tended to Connie as the loving, patient, dedicated and adoring eternal companion that he had promised to be.

Connie’s most priceless jewels were her family. She is survived by her sister Jackie, her husband Donald and their eight children, Jody (Rich) Heaton, Rick (Arlene) Neilson, Lisa Neilson, Jim (Janice) Neilson, John (Tylyn) Neilson, Heidi (Dave) Pyle, Walt (Darbi) Neilson, and Alan (Jamie) Neilson. She is also the proud grandma to 54 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren.

The Neilson family would like to express our gratitude to all those that extended help, love and prayers. We would like to especially recognize the loving nurses and attentive caregivers at West Coast Hospice and Pacific Shores Board and Care. We take comfort in all your kind words, shared memories and acts of service.

The life and legacy of Connie will be remembered and honored at a service on Monday, April 17 ^th at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23850 Los Alisos Blvd., Mission Viejo, CA 92691. A viewing will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Flower donations may be sent to O’Connor Mortuary by 3:00 pm on April 16 ^th at 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Connie will be laid to rest at El Toro Memorial Park.

Obituary written by Jamie Neilson (Daughter-in-Law) and Nicole Cortenbach (Granddaughter).