Coni

[Mitch_Rider]

Sad, Sad, news.
I just talked to Graham. He couldn't talk much as he was at Coni's bedside but said that her breathing is very labored and she is pretty much comatose. He said that she is down to her last days, maybe hours.
I would ask you to join me with your prayers for Coni's comfort and for support of Graham and their daughter at this very sad time.
It is so unfair.
Love & Light,
Jeff

"Today is a gift, that is why they call it the present.
Tomorrow is just a promise."

'live every moment of every day and realize that road time is finite. Relish every ride and every day as a gift."

[katnapinn]

Jeff thanks for the update although not good news. We will keep Coni in our prayers

[ErnieA]

Sad news indeed Jeff. Her Faith has never waivered, Her Hope has endured a most horrible ordeal, and her Love for family and this forum have been something we can all aspire to achieve. Pauline and I will continue to pray for her and Graham in this most needed hour.

[amarider]

Yes Sad news...
My Prayers & thoughts are with Coni for peace in her journey and with Graham and family for comfort and strength.

[ErnieA]

A great pic from Bruce last February. What a smile!


http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9919

[lnowell]

I never met the lady, but based on comments from her friends and the sheer number of them - she must be quite a lady. Looks like many will truly feel the loss. So very sorry to hear the news.

[grifscoots]

Even though I knew it was coming, I'm sitting here blubbering like a baby.

The world is losing a great, wonderful, compassionate lady. Go lightly over the rainbow, Coni.

[JPSpen]

Our prayers are with you..


John & Lindy.

[amarider]

A pic from the Chiliburger run in 2003, laughing with friends on the road.
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14425&stc=1


Oh and grif, your not the only one to find themselves blubbering like a baby....

[ErnieA]

Even though I knew it was coming, I'm sitting here blubbering like a baby.

You're not alone. :(

[DaveDragon]

Even though I knew it was coming, I'm sitting here blubbering like a baby.

The world is losing a great, wonderful, compassionate lady. Go lightly over the rainbow, Coni.

Me too Grif, can't hold it back.

[brasters]

Can't realyy believe it, What a great lady, of all the people to go early, I will miss her, I am sitting here at work and I can hardly see the screen.


Go gently Coni.

Love Bob R.

[dwsdad]

I never had the opportunity to meet her, but I've heard nothing but good. Seems the good ones are always taken way too early. My thoughts are with her and her family.

[dshealey]

I knew it was probably coming, but still very hard to accept. Coni was what so many aspire to be but cannot. She was a great friend, and someone most of us had absolutely the highest respect for.

She had left a message on my cell phone a few weeks back, and she certainly did not sound like the Coni we all knew. I tried to return her call a couple of times, but only got a message forwarding service, so I knew that things must have gone downhill, as she was always fast to return my calls before.

[cmabmwriders]

WOW! what sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Coni and her family at this trying time for all of us. God's speed.

Be blessed!!

[jeffklt]

If ever there is one among us who epitomizes what CCR is about, its Coni..............

[meese]

That just sucks.

My favorite story was of Coni telling me about watching a Lunar eclipse. She decided it was best seen from the saddle, so just headed away from the city and into the open country to the east for a clearer view. That's an image that comes up nearly every time I'm on a long ride, and one that I'll carry with me for a long time.

[AlaskaFish]

Folks we were among the fortunate few who did get a chance to see Coni before she was actually on this final trip I guess. And we hope that you might see something silver lining the sad fact that she is not with us much longer here on earth by knowing that she certainly does know she will never be forgotten by this family of friends.

It was just last Thursday when Marilyn and I managed to drive up to the Seattle area at Graham's suggestion in order to present Coni with the "Spirit" Award she was given this year at the CCR in Tan-Tar-A. Although Coni was on pain meds and in a very weak state, she did get to hold the Award and was in immediate tears remembering all her friends from the CCR and Biking world in general. She whispered (that is all she could do in her weak state) that she loved us all and really did wish she could have been there. We reassured her that she was there in Spirit and told her that everyone was asking about how she was doing.

She went on to say that the "Mojo" Quilt which you all signed was in fact signed by all her caretakers as well, and it never left her! Once again, in tears, she hugged Marilyn and thanked her for the thought of doing the Quilt. We told her that it was from all of her friends, even those who may not have had an opportunity to actually sign it!

When we left that evening we felt as if it might be our final visit, but did not know for sure. I am letting you all know here and now, as I sit typing with something wet on my own face, that Coni really did love us all, and she will most certainly be missed by the world, not just our little Bike community!

Let us all wish Coni a speedy ride upstairs and say a prayer for her and her family.

Sincerely,

John

[jebain2002]

Awwwww, Damn! As always, Coni has shown us how to live life with grace and style even in the face of adversity. I will miss her physical presence; and continue to enjoy her spirit.

[kdog]

Such sad news about a great woman. :(

Every time I read a post from some guy complaining about how bad the slow-speed handling of the LT, I always think about Coni. Here's this cute little scrap of a woman who owned two LTs at two different residences so that she could always have one handy. Then she rode them all around the country regularly, picking up boat load of Ironbutt certifications along the way. You never heard her whine about the LT handling. No, that lady knows how to ride!

And what a sweetie too. Those of us who were fortunate to meet her at various CCRs, and those of us who served on the CCR board with her will never forget her infectious smile, zest for life, and that she always has a kind word to say about everyone. It's easy to remember women LT riders because there are precious few of them. However, Coni seemed to remember all LT riders and could call them out by name, even if she'd only met them once. Now that's a talent. Meeting Coni once was to make a friend for life.

Godspeed to your next journey, Coni.

-joel

[sanjaun2]

I never met the lady, but based on comments from her friends and the sheer number of them - she must be quite a lady. Looks like many will truly feel the loss. So very sorry to hear the news.
Very sad news indeed, She is a great lady. Never anything bad to say about people and always optimistic. But what stands out most in my memories is her riding abilities. Most guys have their hands full with the weight and bulk of the LT. I was just amazed to know she has outridden most of us guys here with tons of miles. A thousand miles in a day was an easy day for her. On almost every long trip I took on my bikes I would think of her. I would be into several long days in a row or having a flat in the middle of nowhere and start to question my ability to continue on after hitting the wall. I would think to myself that Coni has been here and done that and continued on. All by herself and being a woman to boot. That thought gave me a second wind many times and by days end I would feeling good with my accomplishment. Thank you Coni for that and for being a great friend to us all.

[AlaskaFish]

I am sure that Coni would be overjoyed to see that Ali is still performing in the IB Rally! See the thread by Gene with a link to the individual who had the Honor of riding Ali:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27931

John

[murray]

The news Totally Sucks !

My condolence to her friends and family.

[grifscoots]

I'll never be able to look at another Studebaker in the same way.

[ErnieA]

With respect from Bob and Silvie on the LDRiders site:

Dear Coni
How often have you said to us "Hi Honey?" Well now it our turn to say "Please be strong Honey becaue we love you very much!" We remember the beautiful sketch of you in Graham's book and always understood that the fictional love of his life that he wrote about was in fact you, and Baby you are no fiction!
Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you now.
Love
Bob & Sylvie

[hschisler]

We are sorry to hear this latest news.

I had the pleasure of meeting Coni at CCR 2006. Had not met her before and haven't seen her since, but that meeting left a great impression on me. Quiet, calm, assured, confident, and at peace with the world. I pray that peace will be with Coni and her family in the times to come.

[Inishmman]

I met Coni at CCR in Santa Fe some years ago. Foolishly, I had my set of Motolights installed at the dealer and then came back to the hotel to talk to Tina -- and have the install redone. Tina's crew used a piece of shrink-wrap but didn't have a heat gun to finish the job. Coni was standing by and said, "I've got a hair dryer in my room; maybe that'll work." She then (literally) comandeered a Harley whose owner she recognized and who had left the key in the ignition -- and off she went. In just a flash, she returned with the hair dryer, the job was completed and, when I tried to thank her, she replied, "I've been takin' care of deez boyz for years."

A few years later when I read of her diagnosis (Stage 4 anything is not good), I emailed her commenting that she probably didn't remember me, yada yada. Within a few moments her reply came back, "How could I ever forget that sweet smile ..." That is -- and always will be -- Coni.

So grateful to know you ...
Joe

[Gene_Chapman]

Coni had a way of making you feel as if you were the most important person in the world at that very moment. The way her face would light up and that infectious smile would spread across her face. I was honored to have crossed paths with her through the years. International Bike Show in Seattle a time or two, Santa Fe at CCR, Chiliburger Feed in HorseshoeBend, Idaho a few years back. It always brought a smile to my face.

What an infectious smile and love of life! I called her once to see if she was going to be available during a Seattle visit. No, she had previous plans. The next week she had her coast to coast to coast writeup on the board. She didnt speak much about her numerous accomplishments, but was always there to help you attain yours.

One trip to my local bike shop in Boise years ago, one of the owners was talking to me about an error in judgement he had made. There was this cute blonde lady walking around the shop in her riding attire a few days earlier. He asked if he could help her. She said "No" just having the LT serviced. He looked aournd and asked where her husband was. She laughed and told him she was riding alone and had stopped by for a necessary service. He told me he was more than embarassed by his mistake, but that she had been more than gracious in her forgiveness of his error. I asked if it was a lady by the name of Coni Fitch. He stared and said in fact it had been. I filled him in on her expertise aboard the LT and told him he had selected the right person to make that kind of an error with. I could hear her laughing in her helmet all the way home to Sun Valley!!!

Someone needs to get word to St Peter, her idea of the perfect ride is not always one under a blue sunny sky!!

Our thoughts and prayers are with Coni and her family tonight....

Gene&Kathi Chapman

[avonfloater]

Although I had the opportunity to sign the quilt, I did not have the opportunity to actually meet Coni - wish I had. That said, these posts paint a vivid picture of a very special woman, wife, mother and rider who we all could only hope to emulate. I've seen it on the faces and words of my local friends whenever they talked about her. She was on every ride I've been on with them. Ride in peace Coni.

Denny

[prestonbill]

Dam life is already to short but to have it cut even short really sucks. She's a great lady. God Speed Coni!!!

Bill

[REWDOC]

Even though I knew it was coming, I'm sitting here blubbering like a baby.

The world is losing a great, wonderful, compassionate lady. Go lightly over the rainbow, Coni.

Well said, Grif. I will miss her smile and charm. She is truly a wonderful lady and friend. She has been in my prayers daily and will be until then end.

[fun42]

I had the very great pleasure of meeting Coni for the one & only time at CCR06. I had no idea of this little ladies achievements. I say little with no disrespect intended, she was tiny besides my 6"4". We stood and talked at the Tuesday night welcome party and I was completely taken in by her smile & wonderful personality.
Like others in these posts, I sit here with tears on my face, can't believe what I am reading. The world will be a sadder place for her passing, God speed little lady - keep the black side down, I'm so glad I can say I met you.
It goes without saying my heart & prayers go to her family at this very sad time.

[patrick2000]

Jeff,

Thanks for the update. What dreadful news! With no Coni (update) posts appearing I figured that things were not good, but I refrained from asking , as this truth is painful. I will keep Coni and family in my thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.

[Lzyellodog]

I have been following the thread for days now. When I first read about Coni, whom I have never met, I was saddened to hear of her illness. As I read further I feel like I have missed out on meeting this wonderful person. I feel like there is a whole in my life because I never had the good fortune of meeting her.

My prayers to her and her family and friends, she obviously has a lot.

[NOGILLS2]

I had the priveledge to meet Coni at CCR06. The imediate impression was that she like many others here, would go well out of their way to help others.
I haven't been a member here as long as most of you and I'll never forget People like Dave Dragon, who took me by the hand and taught me how to service my LT. Griffs hospitality, knowledge, and trust, I was amazed that he took me in and taught me more about the LT. Jeff's hospitality at CCR07. ElJeffe who is a another true friend. It renews my hope. There are many others here that go unnamed. I stand in awe of the FAMILY that we have here!!!!

When I met Conni I could tell she carried that same Spirit with her, she would go above and beyond the call, to help others. After my own close call with death, I sit here and pray for Conni and her family, I pray for the miracle that saved me would also work for her!

And Griff you are not the only one is not dry eyed!