Connie Marie Dean, 58

Connie Marie Dean passed away on Nov. 2, 2010. She was born Jan. 20, 1952, in Eugene, Ore., to Tommy and Joanne Dean.

Connie was diagnosed with PKU, but it was not known about until she was 6 years old. It damaged her brain and she had no speech. Connie was like a 1 1/2-year-old child.

We moved to California in 1952 where she lived for 11 years and then, moved to Idaho in 1963. In 1992 they settled in Post Falls where Connie has lived for the last 18 years.

Connie was a joy to her family, she liked to carry crackers in one hand and tissue in the other, which she liked to wave around. She was always a very good child and very easy to care for.

Connie had a massive stroke Oct. 30, 2010, and her high blood pressure caused bleeding in her brain which ended up taking her life.

She is survived by her parents, Tommy and Joanne of Post Falls; her sisters, Carol (Tom) Pettibone of Arizona, Deanna (Jerry) Hayes of Coeur d'Alene and Peggy Dean of Post Falls, and her brother, Larry Dean of Post Falls.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Connie's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.