Constance Mae Balderson's Obituary
Constance Mae “Kanani” Balderson, known by most as Connie or Tutu, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on October 25, 2024, at Madigan Hospital in Washington State.
Connie grew up in Hawaii with her parents (Benjamin and Anne Chang), sister (Weryland), and three brothers (Thomas, Dougie, and Gene). She attended Sacred Hearts Academy and was a loving daughter and sister who treasured family, Hawaiian music, flowers, and God.
At the age of 21, she met a smart and handsome man, Dan Balderson, who was stationed at the army base, and the two quickly fell in love. She and Dan would take tours around the island in his convertible, chaperoned by her mother, of course. They married the following year and shared their first apartment in Waikiki. Being in the military, the couple moved often and enjoyed travels, including stations in Washington, New Jersey, two tours in Germany, Hawaii, California and their final assignment at Fort Lewis, WA. During this time, the family welcomed their daughter Christine and sons Daniel and Benjamin. The family retired in Lakewood, WA. However, she always had two homes in her heart: Washington and her beloved Hawaii.
She was a wonderful mother who was full of love, encouragement and taught the importance of hard work and kindness towards all. Many people called her “Tutu,” meaning elder or grandparent in Hawaiian. She enjoyed caring, supporting, and guiding others and always with unconditional love. She was a welcoming neighbor; her home was known to be a place where the door was always open. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 1996 and she never remarried, saying her one and only love was Dan.
She was a devout Catholic. A parish member at St. John Bosco in Lakewood, but also attended mass at other nearby churches. She loved church and God and believed all things were possible through Him. She was an avid volunteer, helping to take care of the church, assisting with mass, and with the Legion of Mary, brought the sacrament to those unable to leave their homes.
She was passionate about collecting items on her travels from Hawiiana, spoons and her favorite Hummel figures. She loved to clean and worked for years pressing clothes, even returning to it after retirement, saying she missed working. As an avid gardener she was often found tending her garden or cleaning her Koi Pond. She had a love for art. She painted, collaged, and created stained glass windows, but most of all, she was an avid quilter, winning prizes for her beautiful and meticulous kapas (Hawaiian quilts).
Connie is survived by her sister and one brother, three children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.
Mass service will be held at St. John Bosco in Lakewood, WA, on Friday, November 29 at 10 am (rosary to be said at 9:30a). Connie’s final resting place will be with her husband at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Aloha Oe and God Bless.
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