Constance Stride

September 20, 1941-February 5, 2024, Constance Merle Stride (Connie) ascended peacefully to the Heaven of our Lord on February 5, 2024, at Skagit Valley Hospital surrounded by her children. Connie was born in Owosso Michigan on September 20, 1941, to Minster Merlin and Mother Evadeen Osborne. The Free Methodist Minster brought his family of seven from Michigan to Seattle in a 1954 two-door Chevrolet, towing a four-wheel old trailer full of all belongings. Connie attended Queen Ann High School in Seattle. She married Bob Gockley on October 17, 1958, and had three children (Tony, Tina, and Tammy). Connie later married on June 28, 1969, Edwin Donald Stride, bringing into her life his daughter Leslie Stride. Her beloved Ed adopted her three children and together they brought into their circle of family unity their son Thomas Stride. Connie carried the legacy of her father's faith seeking truth and unity. She became a Baha'i on November 5, 1965. Her beloved husband and she traveled together and were pioneers in the later days of their lives as servants of the Baha'i Faith. Connie's fragrance of love and unity is everlasting, as the sweetness of her spirit remains in our hearts forever. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Deena Small, and brother-in-law Dennis Small; sister-in-law, Susan Osborne; and son-in-law George Willett. Connie is survived by her sister Sharon Hanson; Twin brothers George and Gerald Osborne; her sons Tony (Donna) Stride, and Thomas (Nicole) Stride; daughters Leslie Miller, Tina Willett, and Tammy (Tillman) Deberry; her grandchild Jeremy (Athena) Husby; Eric (Lee Ann) Stride; Heather Stride; Kevin (Amy) Stride; Cortney Armes, Tasha (Thomas) Sullivan, Austin (AJ) Stride, Taven Deberry, Talea (Josh) Stride, Nolan (Karla) Miller, Toz Deberry, Ethan Stride. Connie is survived by multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews, and 17 great-grandchildren. Connie's family would like to thank Ralph Eichner, her companion and friend over the last 5 years. All her friends and caregivers/staff at Bonaventure Senior Living in Richland WA for all their loving-kindness and care over the last 5 years; Josephine Sunset Suite caregivers/staff in Stanwood Washington; Skagit Valley Hospital staff and team. The Baha'is in TriCity WA and the Baha'is of Snohomish County for all their constant support and loving-kindness. A memorial service will be held at Weller Funeral Home in Arlington WA, on February 8th at 11:00-1:00. A Baha'i BUrial graveside service will be held at Sunset Gardens in Richland WA. In place of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Tahirih Justice Center https://www.tahirih.org/ or the charity of your choice.