Constance “Connie” Wilkinson, 95, of Leawood, KS, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family & loved ones. Connie was born at home in Kansas City, KS, to her parents, Lawrence E. and Clara M. Ishum. She was the oldest of six siblings (5 sisters,1 brother). They grew up in Kansas City, KS, on 16th Street, attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1948.

Connie eventually met the love of her life, Tom, through mutual friends in the Rockhurst College Discussion Group, and they married in 1959. They remained happily married for over 56 years until Tom passed away in January 2015. Over the years, Tom & Connie lived in Kansas City, MO; Wethersfield, CT; Columbia, SC; Westport, CT; and Overland Park, KS, where they created great family memories. Connie was a stay-at-home mom and raised their two children, Tim and Cynthia, until they were in college, when she went back to work at ERC before retiring with Sprint.

Connie is survived by her son, Tim (Cheryl) Wilkinson of Collierville, TN. She treasured her grandchildren – Courtney (Justin) Hawkins, Spencer Seal, Stephanie Best, Layton Wilkinson, and Blake Best, along with her four great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Johnson, Andrew Gary, Dakota Hawkins, and Grayson Hawkins. Connie is lovingly remembered by her siblings Carol (Frank) Yurchak, Geraldine (Dan) Ryan, Mary Hall, and all her nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Larry & Clara Ishum, sister, Collette Hillman, brother Lawrence Ishum, Jr., husband, Tom, and daughter, Cynthia (Greg) Best.

Connie was a devout Catholic her entire life and is at peace in heaven. Visitation will be held at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, KS, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.