The Best Teacher I Ever Had

 Presleigh was so blessed to have Sister Condie as her teacher and has loved her ever since. Presleigh says that "she is the best teacher that I have had ." She loved that she always put so much effort in her lessons and allowed her to stay until she finished coloring her craft that she gave to her. I watched her through the years of how kind and sweet she is to all the kids. She always made them feel very special. Presleigh loves her as so do all the children that have been fortunate enough to be taught by her. What better people we are to have her in our lives. We love her and appreciate the kindness that she has shown toward my daughter and family. We love you Sister Condie. Much love to you, Scott & Kristen Thomas and Family. 

Kristen Thomas

Prayers for Sister Condie

I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but I thought it was sweet.  Some of the kids in my primary class had Sister Condie as a teacher last year.  They have loved to talk about her and often pray for her in class.  They knew that she loved them.  Yesterday one of the girls in my class prayed that Sister Condie would be having fun in heaven.  I think they know that she is the kind of lady that lived her life so that she will have fun in heaven.  

Thanks,

Megan Jenson

An Earthly Angel

My family had an experience with Sister Condie, one that we will never forget.  When we moved here 4 years ago, Xander had just turned 5 and was in Sister Condies class.  As with all of our other moves, it was difficult for our kids to adjust, new school, church, etc.  He was having a difficult time adjusting, except for church.  For the first few weeks, I took Xander to class and sat there with him.  Each week Sister Condie would put her arms around Xander and tell him how much she loved having him in her class.  She made it a point to really get to know Xander and showed such great love towards him.  One week he was home sick, she called to see why he missed church, and to check to see how he was feeling.  Xander loved going to church each week to see "Sister Condie".  She was an earthly angel, she showed Christ-like love to us and we will be forever grateful that we had the chance to know such a great Sister.

 

Brother Eric Jensen

A Loving Teacher

Dirk had Sister Condie right after we moved into the Auburn Hills ward from Cleveland. She made the transition so smooth and fun for Dirk. She had a little clip board and crayons for each of the kids that they used each week, and at the end of the year they got to keep them.

Each week Dirk would come home with the cutest little handouts and stories and he would be able to tell stories from the scriptures to our family {and many times he knew the stories better than I did :)} She truly loved her sweet little primary class, and helped to instill a love for learning the gospel and excitement for going to primary in the little one's she taught. What a great example of Christ in loving and teaching the children as if they were her own. She will be missed.

 

Lindsey Bentley

Hugs for Sister Condie

Sara Larson was in her primary class last year – And at the beginning of the year 2010, she couldn’t wait until the closing prayer of Sacrament Meeting was over so she could go to Sis Condie and give her a Big Hug – She just loved Sis Condie.  After a while I went to tell Sis Condie that I will try to get Sara to go to Primary first and she could give her a Hug there but every once in a while Sara got away and was up at the Organ giving her Hug to Sis Condie.   Sara was just so happy to see her teacher each and every week.  She was a wonderful Teacher to Sara and I am glad that she was a part of her life.


Michelle Larson

An Accomplished Musician

There were so many qualities that I admired and loved in Sister Condie.  For her eulogy, I would like to share two:

  

I appreciate her high level of musicianship.  The emotional connection she achieved with every piece of music she played was special.  Sister Condie's musical instincts and talent were truly paramount.  In the ward, she was the person whose insights and perspective I welcomed and sought out the most.  I know how much of her heart and soul she poured into playing, especially when it came to hymns.  Her testimony of their place and importance in our Sunday meetings was evident to those who knew her love of music and love of the gospel.  I will not measure up to her contributions on the organ in sacrament meetings during my lifetime.

Sister Condie's love and respect for others' feelings is the other attribute that I most appreciated.  Whenever she felt moved to offer ideas and suggestions for correcting my musical performances, she worked REALLY hard to make sure that what she said would not offend me.  She didn't need to worry about this with me - I have had plenty of practice accepting constructive criticism.  It touched me deeply, however, that she took such care and went to such trouble to be as considerate of my feelings as possible.  I watched her do this in her dealings with others so many times.  She was such a lovely person and a loving person to all.

I was never more touched when Sister Condie came to the rescue of the Rovner girl during fast and testimony meeting.  Kathy saw how much she was struggling to voice her testimony and stepped in quickly to assist.  She was truly an angel of mercy in this life, and I aspire to show that same Christlike love toward others that she had perfected.

I will miss how much her spirit influenced mine for good,

Elisa Gonzalez

Our Angel

Carly was struggling a little in Primary when Sister Condie entered her life. She actually requested that Carly be part of her Primary class. Carly was always behind the others because she was a whole year behind everybody else. She had a hard time paying attention, following directions, etc. But Sister Condie stepped in with such love and patience and in a couple of months she was loving Primary. The most impactful memory I have of Sister Condie was once she had already been diagnosed with cancer, she continued to teach the little ones when she could, but she was often too sick to come to church and Carly missed her. Carly’s birthday rolled around and one day Sister Condie showed up on our doorstep, dressed up, looking fabulous (she was undergoing extremely difficult treatments at the time). She handed Carly her classroom clipboard and markers and a birthday card with one dollar in it. By the look of Carly you would have thought she won the lottery. Her beloved teacher remembered her and her special day despite the fact that she was extremely ill. I don’t know if Carly will remember that day when she is older, but I know that she will ALWAYS remember sister Condie’s love. I for one, as a parent will remember that day and the example that Sister Condie set for me. Even when life is so difficult there is still room to extend love to others. You are our angel Sister Condie, and there is such peace in knowing you are in Heaven looking down on all the little ones. 


Joana and Carly Tripp

A Teacher to Remember

My sweet Sydney just loves Sister Condie.  She said she was always so kind and loving to her class.  She said that she always worked so hard to color and get ready all the stuff for us.  She also has kept all the stuff that Sister Condie handed out with her lessons in a box and is glad she has it all to remember her.

Also, our family received the sweetest letter from Sister Condie a couple weeks ago thanking us for a letter  we had written to her a few months ago.  We of course did not expect to receive anything but it  shows how considerate and thoughtful she is to send the letter.  The letter showed her humble nature and meant the world to our family.

  

Stacey Giles

A Beautiful Love Story

I remember visiting with Kathy a few months ago and asking her what she did to "fill back up" with all of the battles she had to fight on a daily basis.  Without hesitation, her answer came in one word; "John".  She explained how she drew strength from him and that even with things so difficult, they still laughed together.
 
I was able to visit briefly with John the Friday before Kathy passed on.  John mentioned that he and Kathy had recently gone to the temple and performed sealings.  He said, "It was good to hear those promises".  I was struck by the deep love and profound faith of both Kathy and John.  What a beautiful love story.


Ganelle Smith

Kathy's Love for the Savior

My favorite memory of Kathy was when we were serving in Primary together as teachers.  Her class had the sharing time and she shared her scrapbook of her brother and Savior, Jesus Christ.  She shared her favorite pictures and stories of our Savior and then she had her class do the same.  It was the most tender and sweet testimony of our Savior I have ever heard.  I have just loved her ever since.  She was a beautiful example of love and kindness. I will truly miss her warm smile.

With love,

Jamie Pearce

Kathy's Testimony in Stake Conference

I did not know Kathy well, but I remember what she said in Stake Conference last year when she was asked to bear her testimony. She said how grateful she was for the family she grew up in and related a story of how her little brother said he wasn't going to church. She said yes he did and he argued until she told him to go ask their dad. Their father told him something like: "We are all free to make our own choices. Now go get your coat on so we can get to church." I loved that. 

I also remember what great comments she made in our Stake Institute class. She was quiet but full of wisdom when she spoke. I was surprised to find out not too long ago that I am related to her. My uncles's wife, Georgia is John's sister. What a small world. I wish I could have known her better, but will remember her gentleness, strength and testimony. 

Lisa Phipps

Shining Star

When I was the Primary Secretary, Kathy Condie was one of our teachers.  We went to a Denver Temple grounds activity and were trying to round up the kids to go to the next part of the activity.  She had her class so in line and behaving and lovely.  She told me some of her secrets from being a schoolteacher and I have watched her example ever since.

 

I also remember her husband introducing her once: "she's my shining star".  What a sweet lovely and romantic thing to say about your obviously-beloved spouse.  

Julie Snow

Kindness

When I think of Kathy Condie, I think of her unfailing kindness.  She so willingly helped others and spoke with gentle words.   I admired not only her kindness, but also the patience she had for the primary children she taught. To me, she embodied the attributes in this poem from The Friend magazine.

Kindness

Kindness looks for ways to help.

Kindness lets a friend go first.

Kindness tries to keep the peace.

Kindness never thinks the worst.

Kindness plays with everyone.

Kindness gives a loving touch.

Kindness speaks with gentle words.

Kindness never takes too much.

Kindness cares and kindness knows.

Kindness shares and kindness shows.

by Lara Krumwiede

I'm so glad to have known Kathy.  I will never forget her beautiful example.

Pam Bashaw