Connie Kay Klie Obituary (1948 - 2020)

Connie Klie (Mallett) was born on December 24th, 1948 to parents Leroy and Constance Mallett in Portland, OR. She passed away on January 21st, 2020 in Kent, WA. Connie was born smiling and dancing. She came into the world on Christmas Eve and never stopped sharing the spirit of that holiday. Connie had an immense capacity for joy and exuberance for life and creative expression, particularly in art, music, and dance. Connie attended the University of Southern California where she met her husband Bob Klie and they married in 1971. Together they moved to San Antonio, TX where they started the first of their nearly 50 years together. Connie and Bob built an amazing life together. In 1978, Connie's first daughter, Becca Klie (Walczyk) was born and four years later in 1982, Connie's second daughter Rachel Klie (Frishkorn) was born. Connie loved her daughters and often spoke to everyone about how proud she was of both of them. In 1989, the family moved to Kent, WA where they still reside. Connie was a passionate elementary school teacher her entire career. Her career spanned many decades and numerous different school districts including Boerne, TX, San Antonio TX, Enumclaw, WA, and Tacoma, WA. Connie completed her Masters Degree in Education and School Psychology and in her final years before retiring, she became a School Psychologist in the Tacoma School District. Connie's grandchildren Cole, Jackson, and Claire were the lights of her last ten years. They were like icing on the cake of parenting her precious daughters Becca and Rachel. Connie was an avid dancer, music and theater lover, sports enthusiast and fabulous teacher. She used her wonderful and creative intelligence in her everyday life--including her days spent volunteering as an art docent at Sawyer Woods Elementary. Connie's tireless support and service with children showed brightest when she was a fan/sideline cheerleader for the sports endeavors for all the kids, including her own children and grandchildren. This left a trail of positivity and encouragement that lives on. She had a brilliance that found the gift in every person she met. She made everyone feel special, valued, and loved. Connie is survived by her loving husband Bob, daughters Becca (husband Brett) and Rachel (husband Mark), and her three grandchildren, Cole, Jackson, and Claire. Connie is preceded in death by her parents Leroy and Constance Mallett as well as her brother David Mallett. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. We will all miss her every single day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie's memory to the art docent program at Sawyer Woods Elementary. Donations can be forwarded to the Sawyer Woods PTA Art Fund. The school address is: Sawyer Woods Elementary 31135 228th Ave SE Black Diamond, WA 98010