Connie Ellingston Bone, 76 years old, of Billings, Montana, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 29th after a yearlong struggle with dementia. Connie was born on October 14, 1946, to Helen and Con Ellingston of Great Falls, Montana. Connie was an only child and was raised by two hard-working parents. She would often tell stories of them working side by side on their rental properties as Connie played in the dirt nearby. Connie was so proud of her upbringing in Great Falls and would always call it home. From a very young age, Connie wanted to be a school teacher. She started to pursue her college degree at the University of Great Falls for the first year and achieved her bachelors of science degree in education from Montana State University in Bozeman. She proudly worked in the Great Falls School district as a kindergarten and first grade teacher for a few years. She then married Gary Bone of Great Falls and they moved to Missoula, Montana, for Gary’s career.
Connie thoroughly enjoyed working in the rural Potomac, Montana, area and told many stories of the homemade cinnamon rolls they would bake in the mornings. This country school may have been the highlight of her teaching career. Gary and Connie then moved back to Great Falls where they had their first son, Garrick Bone. Connie was passionate about being a stay-at-home mother and continued to raise Bryce Bone and Kimberly (Bone) Sweeney in Billings as the couple moved to Billings shortly after Garrick was born. Connie thrived at home with her children, joining the PTA and being a presence in all of her children’s classrooms. Connie returned to the classroom in the 1990’s at Lockwood School in Billings, first as a substitute teacher and then as a fulltime teacher again. She truly had an unconditional love for children. As Connie retired from teaching, she remained busy being her own contractor in adding an addition on to her house. This kept her busy and was a dream she had for many years. She was very proud of this accomplishment.
Connie continued her love for children as she spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren, Gavin (13) and Aspen Bone (9) of Garrick and Amy Bone, and Ellingston (4), Thayne (3), and Penson Sweeney (1) of Kimberly and Chris Sweeney. Connie loved being a grandma.
Connie is predeceased by her mother, Helen Lench Ellingston, father, Con Ellingston, close aunt Albina, and cousin Wilene Fetta. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Gary Bone, children and grandchildren, as well as cousins (close as sisters) Joan Seabery and Sandra Boyce.
Connie will be cremated and laid to rest in Great Falls, Montana, with her mother. A service will be planned for this spring.
