Constance Pierman's Obituary
Constance Pierman, of Lakewood, WA, passed away on February 25, 2021. She was 83. Connie Carter was born September 13, 1937 in Warrington England. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ivy Carter, her brother, John, her children Kelly and Duane, her husband Lyle, and her beloved pug Winston. She is survived by her daughter Donna, her grandchildren Bryan (Melissa), Kerri, and Jordan and her great grandchildren Brooklyn, Patrick, and Samantha.
Connie, born in pre-war England, grew up in Warrington. As a child, Connie loved to sing and made lifelong friendships. In 1954, while working as a secretary at Burtonwood Air Force Base, she met Lyle Pierman, an American servicemember, and they were married in 1956. Their eldest daughter, Donna was born the same year. Duane, Connie and Lyle’s second child was born in 1958. Lyle’s Air Force career took Connie and the family to Texas and then on to Germany where Duane was killed in an auto accident. Connie and her family returned to England for a time until Lyle was stationed to McChord Air Force base and the family moved to Washington State. Connie and Lyle adopted a daughter, Kelly, in 1967 and the family remained in the Lakewood area until Lyle was deployed to Vietnam in 1969. While in Washington, Connie discovered the “British Wives Club” and made fast friends with women who shared a common homeland and experience of marrying American servicemembers. During Lyle’s tour, Connie and her daughters moved to England to be near family. In 1970, Lyle returned from Vietnam and the family moved to his new duty station in Louisiana. Connie endured the heat of the South for a second time. In 1973, Lyle retired from the Air Force and the family returned to Western Washington. Shortly after their return, their daughter Kelly died in an accident. Connie, Lyle, and their daughter Donna, settled in Lakewood and Connie would live at the same address for the next 48 years. Connie worked secretarial jobs during her times in England and worked in schools and as nanny to her young grandchildren Bryan and Kerri during the 1980s and then for her youngest grandson Jordan during the 1990s. All who loving called her “Nana.” Connie also took care of her mother, Ivy, and her brother, John, during her last years of life, traveling home to England for several months at a time.
Connie and Lyle joined the Tacoma Outboard Association in the 1980s and bought a series of larger and pricier boats aboard which, friends and family would be endlessly entertained. The couple also purchased larger and pricier RVs to take on trips with the Overlanders. With Connie, family and friends were a priority. She hosted and attended holiday parties for her longtime friends. She participated in British Wives Club events and continued to nanny her three grandchildren until they were grown. For many, Connie has been a constant, steady presence of love, kindness, and generosity. She has been the cornerstone for both her family and her friends. Connie had more reason than most to cherish and live life to the fullest and she most certainly lived a full life. She enjoyed traveling, exploring the waterways and campgrounds with Lyle and her friends, and vacationing with her family to Hawaii, Disneyland, the Oregon Coast, and very special family trips to England.
Connie’s friendship has been cherished by many but none more than “The Big Five” a group of five couples and their families who have been together for almost 50 years.
She was beloved by many and loved them all in return. We can all remember Connie by living our lives to the fullest and loving our friends. There will be a memorial service, interment, and reception held on June 30th, 2021 at 1pm at Mountainview Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please considering giving a financial gift to your local humane society. Feel free to share memories, thoughts, prayers, and kind words here on this page.
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