September 28, 2023 (Jamul) -- Connie Nierodzinski will be celebrating 90 years of life in December. She and her late husband, Joe, celebrated 61 years together and were long-time residents in Jamul since 1963. She and Joe established their home in the back country hills of Lawson Valley, where they raised eight children. Connie was a long-time member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church and participated in many church-sponsored parades and gymkhanas.

 In 1991, Connie was nominated by Bud and Blossom Snively and honored by the community and County Supervisor Diane Jacobs as Woman of the Year for her 25 years of leadership at the helm of the robust Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club founded in 1970. The youth organization flourished and was well recognized over the years throughout San Diego County.  

Connie inspired volunteerism, community, and hard work. As a mother of a busy household and leader of a very active youth organization, her skills as a teacher, seamstress, homemaker, medic, goose whisperer, chicken-feather plucker, goat catcher, pig wrangler, hair braider, cheese maker, tortilla roller, food preservationist, driver of the big red truck, farmer and gardener were always at the ready.