In 2003, Connie retired and moved to Rossmoor, California. Connie found a community in Rossmoor’s Chinese American Association, Filipino American Association, and was an active participant of her Qi Gong class.  She was a devoted member of the Ambassador Sunday School Class of North Creek Church. Her friends appreciated her companionship, her service and most of all her cheerful attitude. 

Connie moved to Rancho Cordova, California in 1990 when her division at Bank of America relocated their offices. During her 12 years there, she worked hard and took on overtime shifts to save money for her family. She was at Bank of America for 24 years moving up the ranks to become a Loan Officer at the time of her retirement.

In 1981, Connie was reunited with her children and they settled in Foster City, California.   As someone who had unfulfilled dreams of going to college, she emphasized the importance of education and financial independence. She was very proud of her children at their graduations and at every major milestone of their lives.

At the age of 22, Connie married the late Anthony Ong and was the proud mother of four children. Raising children in a time of uncertainty in the Philippines wasn’t what she wanted for her future.  In 1979, she set out for the United States to establish a life for her family.  While it was difficult to be away from her children, she would often say it was the best decision she ever made.  Through shear determination, Connie landed an entry-level job at Bank of America. 

Connie was born in the Cebu province of the Philippines on November 27, 1939 and grew up in Manila.  As the eldest of nine siblings, Connie was driven to help with her family’s struggles. After graduating from Hope Christian High School, she worked in secretarial jobs to help take care of her family.