10 Aug 1923 – 18 Feb 2012
Wife of Paul Ballard Cardon
Constance Loizos Cardon “Connie” passed away Saturday, February 18, 2012 having lived a full, rich, and giving life of 88 years. Connie was born in American Fork, Utah on August 10, 1923 to Greek immigrants Christ and Angelica Takanikos Loizos. She was the first of six children.
The family moved to Murray, Utah in 1930, where they established a successful farm. Connie taught her siblings English as she learned it in school, and interpreted as required, becoming the family leader at an early age. As a young girl she also attended Greek school. Connie excelled in school, graduated from Granite High School and attended the University of Utah. Connie worked in a secretarial capacity at various downtown Salt Lake businesses and at Dugway Proving Grounds during World War II.
Connie married Paul Ballard Cardon and had three children, Mary-Ellen, Ann and Sam. Paul passed away in October 1962 of kidney failure. With three children under the age of seven, Connie moved the family to a new home close to her mother where she remained until her passing. The two street cul-de-sac became a small family with treasured friendships and experiences.
Life was difficult, but regardless of the challenge, Connie maintained a standard of expectations assuring her children would face life head on, with personal strength and honesty. When the children were all enrolled in school, Connie revived her secretarial skills and was fortunate to find a position at a business a block away from her home, National Housewares, finally retiring from Utah Power and Light creating deep friendships along the way.
No matter how you know Connie, you know her cornerstones: food, laughter, story-telling and lending a hand. No one could tell a story like Connie, no one made better stuffed grape leaves or Greek Easter cookies and no one could laugh as richly and deeply as she. Many dinners were held at her home, with a crowded table, mismatched dishes, food enough to make sure everyone went home with at least one entire meal and an experience that would be remembered fondly by all. Her presence at any activity created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and fun.
A clear and strong thinker, Connie was always available to anyone and took action whenever she saw a need. Friends and family knew they could count on her at anytime and she was often sought out for advice. Connie leaves behind a legacy of love, giving and personal grace.
Proud of her Greek heritage, Connie was very fortunate to have visited Greece three times, meeting family and exploring the country. Connie maintained Greek family traditions after her parents’ passing emphasizing Greek meals and sharing recipes and cooking techniques with her nieces and some nephews. Connie joined a Greek Folk Dance class over 30 years ago. They have become a small family, still meeting and dancing together. She was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church and a lifelong Democrat.
Connie is survived by her children, Mary-Ellen Cardon and Ann Cardon of Salt Lake City and Samuel Loizos Cardon of Orlando, FL; her brother, Sam Loizos of Murray, UT, brother-in-law Charles Teed, Las Vegas, NV, in-laws Louis and Rosemarie Hickman and many nieces and nephews each of whom she carried a special love for. She is pre-deceased by her parents Christ and Angelica, her husband, Paul; her siblings and their spouses, Sonia Handy, Wilma Teed, Jim and Bette (Vic) Loizos, Tom Loizos, niece Christina Ipson; Paul’s parents Louis and Rebecca, his brother and sisters and their spouses: Ballard and Eleanor Cardon, Margaret Hickman, Rebecca and Bud Peterson, Helen and Frank Lamb, Edna and Tom Taylor, Lucille and Keith Reading, Ruth and Pernie Leonard.
Funeral services and burial will be at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 So. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitation will be Monday, February 27 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers please give to the charity of your choice. May her memory be eternal.