OBITUARY: Connie Blas

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Connie Blas

Concepcion (Connie) Palomo Blas formerly of Barrigada, Guam passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Lebanon, Tennessee on December 26, 2021 at the age of 93 after celebrating Christmas surrounded by her cherished loved ones.

Ms. Connie was lovingly known as “Anchie”, “Auntie Connie”, “Grams”, and also “Pretty Nana” to her many great-grandchildren. She was born in Guam to Joaquina Mendiola Palomo and Joaquin Blas Palomo on December 3, 1928 (Familian Aling/Marcos Untalan/Potpot).

She was a survivor of the 1941 Japanese invasion and nearly three-year occupation of Guam during World War II. Ms. Connie vividly remembered the many trials faced during the war including being forced out of their family home and walking for miles to live on a rural farm before being sent to a concentration camp towards the end of the occupation.

Following the liberation of Guam, she finished school and even went on to college receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She was passionate about teaching and worked as an Educator, teaching the famagu’on (children) of Guam for 30 years.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing bingo, traveling, dancing, bowling, cooking, going out to eat and most loved teaching her great-grandchildren about the culture and timeless traditions of her Chamorro heritage. She was also a member of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. Ms. Connie never met a stranger and left a special mark in the lives of all that she encountered. Many share the same story of warmly being offered to “come and eat” at her table after only first meeting her—an invitation that always remained open. She will be deeply missed; her kindness and generosity will live on in the hearts of all that were blessed to know her.

She is predeceased by her first husband: Joaquin L.G. Cruz; second husband: Vladamir A. Elchook; third husband: Manuel C. Blas; grandson: Robert D. Cruz; parents Joaquina Mendiola Palomo and Joaquin Blas Palomo; grandparents: Felomena Untalan Mendiola and Vicente Borja Mendiola; siblings: Maria P. Aguon, Joaquin M. Palomo, Vicente M. Palomo, and Josephine Palomo; parents-in-law: Maria L.G. Cruz and Jose C. Cruz; brothers-in-law: Gary Stillberger, Vicente Aguon, Jose Cruz, Juan Cruz, Richard Blausen, Ambrosio Cruz, Vicente Cruz, Joseph Ferrozzo, and Robert Abell; and sisters-in-law: Ana Palomo, Quida Palomo, Rosa Cruz, Concepcion Cruz, Julia Cruz, Victoria Cruz, Connie Blausen, Teresa Cruz, and Dolores Ferrozzo.

She will forever be remembered by her children: Roy V.P. (Rose) Cruz, Joseph P. Cruz, and Julie C. (Jonathan) Higgins; grandchildren: Connie Cruz, Roy V.P. Cruz Jr., Raquel Cruz, Andrew Cruz, Ashley H. (Mack Jr.) Fair, Andre’ R. (Brittnye) Higgins, Anthony J. (Ashleigh) Higgins, and Jonathan G. (Destyne) Higgins Jr.; siblings: Antonina Palomo, Teresita P. Stillberger, John M. (Lourdes R.) Palomo, Dr. Lourdes P. (Robert) Klitzkie, and Joseph M. (Rosa S.) Palomo; sisters-in-law: Ana S. Palomo and Olivia C. Abell; great-grandchildren: Trudy Cruz, Tiana Cruz, Robert Cruz, Brian Cruz, Penelope Cruz, Elijah Cruz, Ruby Cruz, Mack Fair III, Makai Fair, Navaee Higgins, Jabre Higgins, Andre’ Higgins, Joe Higgins, Vincent Higgins, Vivien Higgins, Paul Higgins, Chloe Higgins, Zoe Higgins, Anthony J. Higgins Jr., Santana Higgins, Winter Westdahl, Jonathan Higgins III, Jordi Higgins, and Jodi Higgins; as well as numerous godchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation is at 11 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Sellars Funeral Home, 313 W. Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN. Interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery will immediately follow the service. Escorts: John M. Palomo and Joseph M. Palomo; Pallbearers: Roy V.P. Cruz, Joseph P. Cruz, Jonathan G. Higgins, Andre’ R. Higgins, Anthony J. Higgins, Jonathan G. Higgins Jr.; Honorary Pallbearers: Mack Fair Jr. and Peter Palomo.

Friends and family who are unable to join us for the Funeral Service physically may join us virtually via her obituary on the Sellars Funeral Home website. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.

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