Constance Earl Obituary

Constance Townsend Earl (1930 - 2015)

After a brief illness Constance Townsend Earl died on December 24, 2015 at her home in Bondad surrounded by her family and her favorite dogs.

Connie was born to Pierre and Constance Willis in New York City on August 15, 1930.

She spent her childhood in Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1948 and attended Southern Seminary College. In January of 1951 she married James M. Earl.

Following Jim?s military service in 1953 they moved to Dayton, Ohio and then in 1954 to Grosse Pointe, Michigan where over the next 17 years they raised their four children.

In the mid 1960s while driving by Detroit City Airport Connie spotted a sign offering introductory flights for five dollars. She took up the offer, and from that moment on, after her family, her bridge game, her ranch and her animals, flying an airplane became her greatest passion. In short order she obtained her private and commercial licenses and her certification as flight instructor. She spent the next several years as a basic and instrument flight instructor as well as a charter pilot. Those people who were lucky enough to fly with her marveled at her skills.

In 1971 the Earls moved West, first to Colorado Springs where Connie continued to teach flying at the Fort Carson Air Field, and then in 1978 to Durango. In 1980 they bought land north of Bondad on the lower Florida River and built a house largely of Connie's design. For the next 35 years Connie loved everything about the life on the ranch. She had always been an accomplished horse woman and in her later years became a master of flood irrigation and was always enthusiastic when it came time to work the cattle.

Connie valued spending time with her close friends. A good listener, she helped many, many people through their troubles and their hard times.

She was a member of the Durango Duplicate Bridge Club.

Connie is survived by Jim, her husband of 64 years, as well as her sons, Harley of McCall, Idaho, Peter of Gloucester, Virginia, and Jim of Durango and by her daughter, Alexandra of Fairfax, California. Her family, including her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, together with all of her many friends, will miss her every day.

There will be a Memorial Service held later in the Spring. Memorial contributions in Connie?s name may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society.