Connie S. Alvarez

Connie S. Alvarez, 71, died in Tulare on September 12, 2012 surrounded by her family. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who with her husband Bert Alvarez, enjoyed many summers camping and exploring the country with their three grandchildren. Connie was born in Tulare on January 12, 1941 and attended Liberty School and Tulare Union High School. She completed high school and began classes at College of the Sequoias after starting a family and her career. Her first job was fitting gloves at Gottschalk's in Fresno, moving to the Visalia store and eventually supervising the children's department for many years. Connie, along with her husband and mother Dean, operated the Heather Knit Shop in Tulare. She contributed to her community, serving on the City of Tulare's Redevelopment Project Area Committee and was recognized for her service. Her grandchildren share many fond memories of their grandmother. She taught them to appreciate nature, to knit, to be adventurous, and to love generously. She is survived by her loving husband of five decades, Bert; daughter Anna Lisa and husband Bryan Zeller of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Carla and husband David Calhoun of Visalia, CA; three grandchildren, Matthew Calhoun, Joshua Calhoun, and Brea Zeller; and step-mother Sarah Ellen Ford of Clovis, CA. Connie was preceded in death by her father Roma Ford of Vallejo, CA, mother Virgil Dean Price of Tulare, and an infant sister Diane Ford of Tulare. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date. The family is very grateful for the love and support of family members Cecilia Medrano-Bilvado and John Bilvado, Bridget Penner, Terri Palomino, Rosie Wilson, and Sophie Reid, in addition to many caring friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 340 W. Fallbrook Ave., Fresno, CA 93711. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.Hadley-Marcom.com.Arrangements are under the direction of the Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel.