Detroit Loses a Loyal Republican
There are many unanswered questions about Constance "Connie" McConnohie. How did she spend her typical day? Did she have a family? How did she die?
Corktown Memorial Service
Set for Connie McConnohie
A memorial service for the late Connie K. McConnohie who died February 15, 2005, will be conducted at 4 p.m., Saturday, April 22, 2006, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1050 Porter St. in Detroit.
Parish pastor Rev. Russell E. Kohler will preside. The church is located in the near-Westside community known as "Corktown."
McConnohie was a Republican loyalist who sought public office as a Republican and faithfully attended GOP events throughout Detroit and Michigan. In August 2002 she was a candidate in the Republican primary for State Representative, 12th District.
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What we do know now was that Connie McConnohie was found dead on a Detroit street on February 15, 2005. Not surprisingly, the cause of her death is unknown. The exact time of death is also unknown. These questions, and notification of any next of kin, are being addressed as part of the Medical Examiner's Office investigation. Curt Jacobson of the 13th U.S. Congressional District executive committee has also volunteered his assistance.
In some ways, Connie was like many of us--a face frequently spotted in gatherings of Republicans, especially involving the 13th District. But she seemed to travel alone, and apparently lived a solitary life on the near west side of Detroit where her nickname was “Corktown Connie.”
Connie was faithful in her support of the GOP. If it were in her power she would participate in every Republican event. She was on hand for meetings and receptions at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Detroit Club, as well as at Detroit's Town Pump. She attended State conventions in Detroit, Lansing, and even conventions in western Michigan. One of her latest pursuits was to obtain a ticket to the January 2005 inaugural of President Bush in Washington. Did she land a ticket? Although, we don't know the answer, we do know that she made inaugural ticket inquiries using e-mail.
From merely casual contact, we can make quite a few observations about this colorful woman. Although apparently indigent, she was extremely resourceful. An example was her trip to Grand Rapids for a State GOP convention to which she had been named a Wayne County delegate. After arriving by bus from Detroit, Connie spent the night in the lobby of the Amway Grand due to a misunderstanding about the “free night's stay” coupon from a nearby motel she'd been counting on using.
Connie wanted to see the GOP prosper in Michigan and the City of Detroit. To that end she raised the $100 filing fee and offered herself as a candidate for the Michigan State Legislature, District 12, in the August 2002 Republican primary. She listed her address as 1505 Hubbard Street #209, Detroit, MI 48209. Connie received 79 of the 202 Republican votes cast in that primary race. She also actively pursued enlisting other like-minded people to become involved with Republican affairs.
Connie was bold. Always dressed in her trademark baseball cap, gloves, and trousers, she was not shy about asking for assistance or cash. One example of this boldness was Connie's immediate follow-up question to the potential benefactor she once panhandled for $20 on Cass Street in Detroit. After he tried giving her the brush off saying, “No, I don't have any money for you,” Connie boldly responded, “Let me see your wallet!”
The Wayne County Medical Examiner is conducting an investigation as to cause and manner of death. Anyone with information about Connie should contact the Examiner's Office at (313) 833-2504.
