October 20, 1923 – November 8, 2023
information provided by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory
Louise Barbara McConnachie, nee Lewin, 100, of Bradenton, FL, went home to her Lord and Savior on November 8, 2023. She was born October 20, 1923, in the Roseland area of Chicago, IL, to William A. and Margaret (Stratman) Lewin. She was united in marriage to Robert McConnachie on March 1, 1947. She lived most of her life near Chicago, mainly Lansing and South Holland, and spent many summers in Mackinaw City, MI, before retiring permanently to Bradenton.
She never stopped missing her beloved Chicago, though, or her summer home in Mackinaw. She was proud of her years working at Marshall Field’s River Oaks store; she had a special love for Buckingham Fountain and the Lyric Opera, where her father worked as an electrical engineer and would at times bring her with him. When in Mackinaw, she loved sitting and just looking out at the Straits, the Mackinac Bridge, and the ore boats passing by. As anyone who knew her could tell you, her favorite color was purple, and that meant that she was really of royal blood. She loved gardenias and all flowers; babies (her own and anyone else’s whether she knew them or not); music (singing along, dancing along, playing on the piano but rarely just listening); knitting (so many afghans!); playing cards or doing Sudoku puzzles; polishing her nails, wearing perfume, getting her hair done, and going shopping. She also loved making people laugh, and giving gifts, whether to her family, a friend, a favorite charity, or service staff wherever she went. She had a wonderfully generous spirit and loved helping others: she volunteered at the USO during WWII, taught Sunday School for many years, served at countless church luncheons and dinners, and was the first to bake cookies for parties or funerals. That was the Louise we loved, and will dearly miss.
She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, her parents and two sisters, Marjorie R. (late Claude) Penn and Dorothy E. (late Robert) McBride. Louise is survived by three daughters, Karen (late Paul) Caswell of Escanaba, MI, Lizbeth “Libby” (Thomas) Pasztor of Grayslake, IL, and Robin McConnachie of Mackinaw City, MI; grandchildren Kristen (Bradley Williams) Caswell, Erin Caswell Palmreuter, Robert Pasztor, and Laura Pasztor; great-grandchildren Katie, Ben and Jill Palmreuter, and Piper Williams; and many nieces and nephews. Louise had many loving caregivers over the years who made it possible for her to stay at home in Florida, to whom her daughters will be forever grateful.
A Memorial Service will be held in Mackinaw City, MI, summer of 2024, arrangements pending. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Church of the Straits, Memorial Dept., PO Box 430, Mackinaw City, MI 49701; Tidewell Hospice.org (Bradenton); or a charity of your choice. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd St. Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209 is in charge of arrangements.
