Connie was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to Mary and Michael Bonadio. She was the oldest of 5. They moved to Cleveland when she was a teen so her father could be closer to his shoe-making shop, where she would help out when she wasn’t at school.
She enjoyed working and always had interesting jobs including working at the Five and Dime across from West Side Market, Annunciation school in the office and in the toy department at Kmart. She loved being around people and always met intriguing ones while at work.
Connie was the beloved mother of 6 children who she raised in Cleveland and then in Brook Park with her husband Thomas.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family dearly.
Connie had a bright and vibrant personality and was known for her stories, especially the ones that were a little over the top.
She loved to play the piano which she started playing when she was young and played for most of her life. Her love for music followed her throughout life and when she moved into her final home at Generations, she always made sure to get a front-row seat at Happy Hour so she could fully enjoy the performance. It was often a highlight of her week.
Though she always said she wasn’t artistic, she had a talent for decorating cards that brought joy to everyone in her life. Family and friends always looked forward to mail from Connie Hinkle. These cards are now some of her children’s and grandchildren’s most prized possessions.
Connie loved learning and you could always find plenty of books in her home. She enjoyed learning about the weather, health, ancient history, and food.
She loved to bake and has handed down many family recipes over the years, with these delicious bakes showing up at family gatherings and holidays.
She’d never turn down a game of Chinese Checkers or the chance to let you know you weren’t following the rules.
Connie enjoyed the Cleveland Metroparks and especially loved the Emerald Necklace. In her younger years, she spent a lot of time outdoors and enjoyed camping with the Knights of Columbus. She always had an appreciation for being able to live in such a beautiful place. While living at Generations, spending time at Coe Lake with her family always brought a smile to her face.
Connie led a wonderful life, filled with people who loved and cherished her. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by the people who were lucky enough to know her.
My Aunt Connie will be missed She may have been small in stature yet she was bigger than life when you met her. She had a way of making you smile and laugh everytime you met her. I love the family gatherings with her. She loved having everyone together. I will never forget her stories. You never knew what she was going to say and how she was going to say it. She always had us laughing. She always had so much energy and gave so much to our family. I know she loved her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. As a nephew I knew she loved us all. I loved the sleepovers and camping trips with Uncle Tom and Aunt Connie , swimming at the pool in the backyard and the sleep overs. Aunt Connie you made my child memories so special and they had an impact on me my entire life. Thank you for loving all of us. You had a long and beautiful life. I know your happy up in heaven with the rest of the family. We love you and will miss you
Your Nephew. Joe