Our mother, Connie Pieti ended her journey on earth and left behind loved ones on January 24, 2024, at 98 years old, peacefully at home. Her journey began on January 11, 1926 in Spokane with her parents Josephine (Smith) and Nathaniel Cameron.
Growing up, she lived with her mom in Othello, WA until 1938 when they moved to Yakima where she lived the rest of her life. Mom graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1944. She married Hank Pieti, starting their family with six children and ultimately having 17 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She also had a very special niece, Kris Snow. Mom’s family meant everything to her and they are her legacy. She was always a great role model of her Catholic faith, kind, generous and unfailingly honest. Although mom was very quiet and reserved, she was also very intelligent and inquisitive, especially when it came to politics. We always had to be prepared for her questions before visiting. She had a great memory and always kept everyone informed of family activities.
Connie worked hard all her life beginning the age of 12 picking hops in Moxee and as an adult was a statistician at The American Red Cross and a bookkeeper at Albertsons grocery store, retiring in 1991. Connie’s commitment to her children was borne out by her working hard throughout her life and at times with three jobs to make ends meet.
Retirement suited our mom, enjoying many years reading, spending time with her dog, Maggie and following politics. Connie was true to her Catholic faith all her life, attending daily mass. She was able to volunteer for charitable organizations and her church. A big event and freedom for Connie was getting her driver’s license at 37 years old and continuing to drive until 94 years old transporting all her “older” friends to appointments and church. Connie also enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast, Hawaii and Mexico, vacationing with family. We all loved our mom’s baking of cookies and candies. She was a master candy maker, making suckers, divinity, fudge and penuche. Many of her gifts included baked goods and candy where she would package your favorites as a gift of love.
Connie’s home was a safe haven for all her children’s friends with many of them becoming a long-term family over the years. Instead of gifts for herself, she would ask her family and friends to make donations to their favorite charitable organizations.
She is survived by her six children and their family, Connie and Paul Colgan, Cecelia Sunday, Michael and Angela Pieti, Theresa and Jack Smith, Catherine Hale and Paul and Sondra Pieti. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Pat Cameron, grandson Greg Gordner and great granddaughter Cassidy Gordner.
Visitation for Connie will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and a vigil service will occur Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Keith and Keith Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will occur Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with her grandsons as pallbearers Sean Colgan, David Gordner, Jason Smith, Justin Smith, Chad Hale, Anthony Pieti and Paul Pieti. Connie asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rod’s House.
“You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back or you can open your eyes and see all she has left.”
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