Little eyes would look up to her while little voices asked for just one more treat, to play one more game, to dance one more dance. Connie would always answer, “Whatever your little heart desires.” She never said these words and then turned away. She would bend over and tenderly cup each sweet face as she assured them she meant every word.

Constance Nan Stockmyer died April 14, 2007 at HomePlace in Oak Harbor. She was born Oct. 26, 1923 in Duluth, Minn., to Robert and Esther McMartin. Her family emigrated to Canada where Robert opened and managed a steel mill in Vancouver. Leading up to and through the Depression there were many moves, but the family finally settled happily in North Vancouver. She attended North Vancouver High School with her younger sister and brother. Her first job was in her Uncle Frank’s office. Later, she worked at the local shipyard office. When World War II began she chose to join the United States Navy. In 1945 her friends and family joined her in Seattle to see her off to boot camp in New York. While there Connie was selected as a U.S. Navy poster girl for potential recruiting purposes. In her sister’s words, she was “clearly beautiful inside and out.”

She married Vernon Campbell while stationed in California in 1946 and they had seven children together. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1956. When the marriage ended in 1962, Connie vowed to keep the family together. She brushed up on her job skills and landed a job with Civil Service in the Supply Department at NAS Whidbey. Soon she was transferred to Whidbey Naval Hospital where she worked in the Medical Records Department. She made many lifelong friends there and retired as the office supervisor in 1984 after 20 rewarding years.

She met a wonderful commercial fisherman, Donald Stockmyer, and they married in 1967. He brought three more children to the family. Retirement years were spent opening their home to family and friends.

She loved people, loved to cook, loved to dance, and loved to explore “new vistas.” She was most happy when surrounded by loved ones and friends. Her home served as the gathering place for many cherished family “parties.” She loved and was loved. Her family will miss her beyond words.

Constance is survived by sons, Terrence Campbell of Torrence, Calif., Daniel Campbell of Bellingham, and Richard Campbell and Randolf Campbell of Oak Harbor; daughters, Pamela Elliott of Oak Harbor, Melanie Carmichael of Bellingham and Nicole Starks of Applegate, Calif.; three stepchildren, Alta Shelton of Long Beach, Calif., Brian Stockmyer of Anacortes, and Neal Stockmyer of Lawrenceville, Ga.; her beloved 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a sister, Joanne Phillips of North Vancouver, B.C.; and brother Bill McMartin of Surrey, B.C.

A service celebrating Connie’s life was held April 17 at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.

A special thank you from the family to HomePlace of Oak Harbor for the wonderful care they gave our precious mother.