Vandella Alice “Missy” Connole

With deep love and sadness, we remember our dear coworker. Her smile always lit up the room, and her heart was full of love and tenderness, especially for the children at the daycare, who loved her dearly and were always happy to see her arrive. She was a caring, joyful, and very playful person, someone who knew how to make others laugh even on difficult days. She deeply loved animals and had a heart full of kindness. But above all, she was a devoted and loving mother to her son, whom she cared for with admirable dedication. I can say this because of the conversations we had when we talked about our children. She was also a loyal friend, the kind of person who leaves a true mark on the lives of those fortunate enough to have known her. This is how we will always remember her: with her beautiful smile, her joy, and her big heart. Her memory will live on in us and in all the children whose lives she touched with her kindness. Rest in peace my Missy ❤️ Love you my big girl

Missy was one of a kind, I have not seen her for years, but always crossed my mind many times, she was a neighbor and great friend, she used to cut my hair when I had hair 🤣she always had a special place in my heart so my heart goes out to her family, gone way too soon, I LOVE YOU MISSY🫶🏻💕💕

Oh wow wonderful missy, I'm sure going to miss you, i'm gonna miss your witty , humor and your passion for lenny kravitz!!

Oh wonderful missy, i'm going to miss you.So , especially after I talk to you the day before you left us when chris and I were in death valley , and missy was a great cook.I especially liked her crack salad!! I really respected her passion and loving for animals.

Missy and Kandy were my first friends. We were three and four years old. We had matching clothes and pajamas. We were in and out of each others homes and loved to play house. I always insisted on being the mom. We learned to roller skate and ride bikes together. Her mom was my second mom and vice versa. I don’t reliever fighting. I’m pretty sure we didn’t. Just grew apart as we got older. We reconnected a few years back and it felt like no time had lapsed. I Missy and Kandy like sisters. You will be missed my friend.

There are some people who come into our lives and quietly become part of the very foundation of our families. Missy, our dear Aunt Mimi, was one of those rare and unforgettable souls. It is impossible to put into words the depth of the loss we feel right now. My heart, and the hearts of my girls, are completely broken. Missy was more than a friend to me. She was family in every sense of the word. She loved my girls as if they were her own and helped raise them with the same patience, loyalty, and devotion that only someone with the biggest heart could give. My girls were incredibly blessed to grow up with Aunt Mimi in their lives. She was there through so many moments, big and small, helping guide them, laugh with them, and sometimes even stir up a little harmless trouble with them. Laney bug is who she is today in so many ways because of Aunt Mimi’s influence, encouragement, and love. That is a gift I will carry with me forever, and one I can never fully repay. There is no greater blessing for a mother than knowing someone loved her children the way Missy loved mine. Anyone who knew Missy also knew she had a personality that was completely, unapologetically her own. She had a sense of humor and a boldness that could sometimes shock people, and her “inappropriate” comments or jokes would catch you off guard more times than not, but that was part of her charm, part of the spirit that made everyone love her. She was real, unfiltered, and full of life. Even when she said something that made us shake our heads or laugh in disbelief, everyone knew it came from a place of love, and she somehow always got a free pass, because that was just Missy being Missy. In truth, I could not have asked for someone more fun to help raise my girls. She brought laughter, honesty, and a sense of humor into our lives that made everything brighter. Missy had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for. Whether it was a conversation, a hug, or one of our cherished Sunday brunches, she created moments that became lifelong memories. Those Sundays will never be the same without her laughter, her stories, and the joy she brought to the table. She was also a deeply devoted mother to Ian, and my heart aches especially for him. The love she had for her son was clear in everything she did. Ian, please know that your mother touched so many lives and that the love she shared will continue to live on in all of us who were lucky enough to know her. My thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time. I also want to send my heartfelt love and condolences to Kandy and the entire family. Losing someone as special as Missy leaves a space that can never truly be filled. She touched so many lives with her kindness, generosity, humor, and that unforgettable personality. Missy was the kind of friend people hope to find once in a lifetime, loyal, compassionate, hilarious, and fiercely loving. She showed up for the people she loved again and again without hesitation, and she made life more colorful just by being in it. Though words will never fully capture how much she meant to us, I hope she knew how deeply loved she was. The impact she had on my family will live on forever in the memories we hold close and in the pieces of her spirit that live on in my girls. Aunt Mimi, you will be missed more than words could ever express. Our hearts are heavy, but we are so grateful for the love, laughter, and time we were blessed to share with you. Thank you for loving my girls the way you did. Thank you for being such a beautiful, hilarious, and unforgettable part of our lives. Rest peacefully, dear friend. You will forever be in our hearts, and Sunday brunch will never quite be the same without you.

It was such a shock for me to learn of Missy's death. Just a few weeks earlier, Missy had driven me home from a medical procedure in her Mustang, and left me with a container of homemade soup and some bread. Despite my being a quiet person and Missy being very outgoing, she invited me once to her home for a BBQ, and several times after that invited me to go to brunch with her and her friends, though I never did as I tend to get stuck in a Sunday routine. There was a void at the senior center after she left, and many people would ask me what happened to her. Rest in peace, Missy.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Vandy was my best friend from K-4th grade. She was a wonderful person. She will be missed.

Sending hugs and my condolences. Missy will be dearly missed.

Chris, Ian and the fur family... I was so deeply saddened to hear about Missy's passing. Though I only had the chance to spend time with her on a few occasions and through those frequent run-ins at the grocery store, she always left an impression on me. She had such a warm smile and a sharp, wonderful wit that made every conversation feel easy and genuine. What always stood out most was how much she loved Ian—she spoke about him with such pride and affection. And she always spoke kindly of Chris as well, which said so much about her character and their relationship. We also shared a soft spot for stray animals, something that made me feel an instant connection with her. She was one of those rare people you would not see for years, yet when you crossed paths again, it felt like no time had passed at all. We could always find something to talk about, something to laugh about—it just came naturally. It’s hard to believe she’s gone, and far too soon. She was truly one of those quietly special people who made the world feel a little lighter just by being in it. My heart goes out to you, Ian, and to Chris during this incredibly difficult time. Such a loss. 💔 🙏🏻 🐾