Connie Hughes

Connie Eileen Siebenthaler Hughes Connie E. Hughes, 81, died Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Yakima, Washington. She was born July 30, 1943, in Fairbanks, Alaska to John & Verda Siebenthaler. She moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her family, in 1952, where she lived until her marriage in 1962 to Stanley A Hughes, Jr. She graduated from high school in 1964, attended North Idaho College for one year and the University of Idaho for one year. After the birth of their son, Darwin, the family moved to Coeur d'Alene, then to Post Falls, Idaho, where Mr. Hughes taught high school sciences. They moved to St. John, WA, where Mr. Hughes taught high school sciences. They lived in various country farmhouse rentals, before moving to Yakima, in 1985. Connie enjoyed being a homemaker and took pride in being able to provide for her family. For many years her entries in the Palouse Empire Fair won numerous blue ribbons and awards. She was, also, a judge at the fair in the dried foods division. She was an expert seamstress, making most of the family's clothing, as well as home décor, quilts, and crafts. She enjoyed caring for their animals, both farm animals and pets. She learned basic veterinary care, helped milk goats, tended the cows, assisted in butchering chickens and ducks, as needed for food. The family raised a large garden every year and she spent the summer and fall preserving the bounty, as well as traveling to other areas to purchase fruit to can and dehydrate. She had an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn new things, which led to the pursuit of many hobbies. Connie enjoyed reading (for knowledge) PBS TV educational programs, classical music, nature studies, photography, using her Macintosh computer to design greeting cards and more, growing things (garden, flower beds, house plants), sewing, creating special allergy-free recipes for herself and husband, candy making, bread baking and designing and building small structures (rabbit hutch, duck house, dog house, etc.). Her final design project was her dream home, which she designed herself, then worked with a builder to see her dream come true in 1987. She put up strawberry design wallpaper in the kitchen and the colors of the rooms spoke of her love of color, joyous pastels of mint green, blue, lavender and coral. In keeping with her love of animals, she was a state and federally licensed bird rehabilitator, for over 50 years. She cared for many injured and orphaned raptors over the years, rejoicing in the release of successfully healed birds. Owls were her special favorites, and she had a unique rapport with them, that eventually led to an extensive collection of owl memorabilia. Connie was a member of the Yakima Valley Audubon Society and served as social chairman for 1 8 years. She enjoyed going on field trips and kept a life list of all the birds she had ever identified (over 300). At heart, she was a nature spirit, connected to Mother Earth and holding deep respect, love and reverence for all of nature. She enjoyed attending pow wows in White Swan, where the drums and dancing spoke to her kindred spirit and brought back memories of the native people she grew up with in Alaska. For most of her life, Connie struggled with depression and in 1984 was diagnosed with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. Arthritis began to destroy the joints in her hands, neck and back in her 30's. She suffered from numerous food allergies and inhalant allergies. Connie designed special recipes and a rotation diet to help her live a more normal life. In 1992 her husband left her, and they were divorced in 1995 after 32 1/2 years of marriage. From then on, her depression and devastation deepened, and her health problems escalated. She returned to college, briefly, to take the Displaced Homemaker's Program, then enrolled in the dietetic technician program. Despite high grades, she was unable to finish, due to health problems and subsequently unable to hold a job for more than a few months, at a time. Making ends meet was difficult after her divorce. She tried very hard to maintain her home, organic garden of fruits, vegetables and flowers. She had the companionship of her cats, occasional visits to see her mother and infrequent visits to see her son and grandchildren, ending as health issues no longer permitted the long drive. As years passed increasing pain and depression made keeping up her house and yard difficult. Hand tremors set in, and she was unable to do her hobbies. Connie is survived by her son, Darwin and two grandsons: Mik and Eddie, living in Auburn, WA. She is preceded in death by her father, John Siebenthaler in 1981, several aunts, an uncle, cousins, and her mother, Verda in 2010. Connie has requested no funeral services and that her ashes be scattered in the mountains, where she went to feel close to the Great Spirit. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Connie Hughes, please visit our flower store.