Connie Lee Dyer
Connie Lee (Roush) Dyer, 75, of Charlotte Michigan left us in the early morning hours of January 19, 2025, just one day shy of her 75th birthday. She passed away in her home after her brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a much beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and member of New Hope Community Church. Connie will no doubt always be remembered for her strong faith, having declared Jesus Christ as her personal Savior early in life, her kindness, and her willingness to help those in need, whether it be a friend, family or a stranger.
Born on January 20, 1950, in Clarksville Michigan to Walter and Mary Roush. She grew up on her family’s small family farm with her parents, 4 sisters, and 2 brothers. Connie graduated from Lakewood High School in 1968 as a member of the National Honor Society.
After graduating from high school, she enrolled in Kellogg Community College and earned a degree as an LPN nurse. Connie always looked back fondly on her over 30-year nursing career and cherished friends made while working in the mother and Baby unit at Sparrow’s Main Campus in Lansing. After retirement she continued to serve others as a volunteer at her church and for Meals on Wheels. She also worked part-time at Volunteers of America for two years and enjoyed the friendships she made at work.
She will be remembered for her competitive nature. Connie Michell, her childhood friend, fondly remembers being convinced by Connie to climb out of the bathroom window, just before the bell rang so there could be the first on the bus and get a good seat. She never passed up the opportunity to play board or card games with family and friends. She always made sure you were following the rules of a game.
Connie was an avid reader. Over the years she adopted a number of Chihuahuas from shelters, giving overlooked dogs a loving home. New Hope Community Church members fondly recall her devotion to her faith, her fellowship and decorating a table for the annual Mothers’ Day tea. She enjoyed her summers after retirement from Sparrow traveling to visit her cousin Jan in Maryland, former coworkers in Texas and Florida, and son in Washington State.
Connie is survived by her mother, Mary Seese-Roush, still living on the family’s farm in Clarksville; aunts Nancy Saurs of Florida and Shirley Seese of Hastings, her siblings Elaine (Rod) Evans of Stanton, David (Nancy) of Clarksville, Bonnie (Gary) Winslow of Stanton, and Janet Roush of Eaton Rapids; sons Micheal (Marge) Dyer of Jackson, Matthew Dyer of Seattle, and Branden Dyer of Charlotte. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mercedes Dyer, Preston Dyer, Madison Dyer, and Anthony Dyer and her great-granddaughter Violet, all living in Jackson. She was preceded in death by her father Walter Roush, brother Paul Roush, sister Donna Roush-Ferrill, and beloved cousin Jan Hicks of Pocomoke City, Maryland.
Services to celebrate Connie’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church located at 106 Bostwick St., Charlotte, Michigan. Visitation with family was Friday January 31 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Her memorial service will be Saturday February 1 at 3 p.m., with a dinner to follow at the church. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue her example of helping those in need by making a donation in her name to the Eaton Clothing and Furniture Center (ECFC), located at 135 S. Washington St., Charlotte, MI 48813. This non-profit was close to her heart, and she had looked forward to volunteering here once her cancer went into remission. ECFC provides free household goods and furniture and other items to those in need in the community. Donations in Connie’s name can be mailed, made in person, or given online at eatoncfc.org.