Constance H. McClintick
September 30, 1926 ~ December 27, 2008
Constance H. McClintick died Saturday, December 27, 2008. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1924, the only child of Bob and Virginia Higson. Connie was in the Class of 1942 at Thomas Jefferson in San Antonio, Texas and an enthusiastic member of The Lassos. She also was a popular model for Central Boot Company and several San Antonio department stores. A marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Charles Ralls McClintick, known as "Chili", on January 3, 1942 immediately made Connie a "war bride" as Chili joined the Air Force at the onset of World War II. Their first child, Charles Jr. was born in December, 1942 with the subsequent births of sons Edward Lee in Memphis, Tennessee in 1947 and Clyde Perry in Lubbock, Texas in 1950. After the war, Connie joined her husband in Memphis, Tennessee as Chili attended Optometry College on the GI Bill. Connie once again found herself raising their three sons and writing letters daily as her husband was recalled to active duty in the Korean War. Upon the couple's return to San Antonio, a friendship with Dr. Stanley Pearle led to the family's move to Georgia. Connie embraced and flourished as the helpmate to her husband as Chili established the Pearle Vision Centers throughout the state. Connie was a natural at meeting and greeting the growing number of optometrists and their wives who were joining the optical "family". After ten years in Atlanta, Connie moved to Phoenix when her husband partnered with an optometry school classmate to form Optico Industries, later becoming Vista Optical. When Optico was sold, Chili was invited to join Texas State Optical and Connie once again welcomed new optometrists and their families to the company. Finally one more move brought Connie and Chili back to San Antonio. Connie had great joy in settling into and decorating their home on Thelma Drive which was located across the street from her lifelong best friend, Florence Anderson. Connie enthusiastically joined her husband's support for Texas A&M and was a devoted member of the Aggie Wives Club. She was also a member of the Olmos Park Garden Club and the Daughters of the Confederacy. Connie was a volunteer and energetic supporter of Boysville and a member of the Laurel Heights United Methodist Church. After 62 years of marriage, Connie lost her beloved Chili in 2004. She continued supporting her clubs and was known for her high energy. Connie's ability to say exactly what was on her mind could be very entertaining and oftentimes surprising. Her brilliant blue eyes, shock of white hair and perfectly coordinated outfits combined for a very handsome woman. She is survived by sons Edward Lee and wife Elise and Clyde Perry and wife Cathy. Connie is preceded in death by her son Charles, Jr. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Sylvia Martinez for her constant and loving care of Connie. Additionally, hospice nursing provided by Grace Hospice through head nurse Sandra Loker enabled Connie to remain at home close to her family members. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 am Tuesday at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boysville, 307 West Olmos Drive, San Antonio, 78212.
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We will miss Connie’s loving and constant service to the Aggie Wives and Graduates Club. Her presence at the A&M Club Monday lunches to serve pie to raise scholarship money was a weekly service that few have matched. We send our condolences to her family.
Although Connie was an older cousin, I thought of her as an aunt. If someone had asked me how Connie and her mother could both be an aunt, I would not have had a good explanation. She was unique, in a class by herself. She was elegant but down to earth. She was never cynical but often realistic to the point of being startling. She could say something funny with a straight face. Liberal bleeding hearts didn’t fool her for a second. As I shifted more and more to conservatism over the years, it was nice to have Connie and Chili around for reinforcement. She was packed with more wisdom than many modern universities. I remember her calling me after Chili’s funeral service and giving me his maroon office chair since I was the only Aggie in my family. She also gave me a handmade cane which had been in the family for years. I remember the last time my wife and I took her out for Chinese food. My only regret is that we didn’t do that more often. When I called to tell her my older brother John had passed away December 11, she explained why she wouldn’t be able to attend his service. My love for her extends back to my earliest memories. When I was a child, she would visit our 900 square foot home wearing a Chinchilla coat and be down to earth. She was well to do in our eyes, but never snobbish. She was classy and sophisticated, but she never tried to embarrass those who were not. I don’t know of anyone in her league. To me, this is the end of an era.
Connie will indeed be missed! Her friendly way always made people feel welcome. We agree with all the wonderful things we have read about her. What a beautiful, sweet, and elegant lady!!
Dick and I have such fond memories of Connie — she was breath of fresh air and had the best personality! She was a beautiful lady and will be missed by a lot of Aggies. Lee I hope that you and your family will accept our condolences. Patsy and Dick Kistner
Lee, Your Mom was a good friend & quite a gal. I always looked forward to seeing her at the A & M club. She made you feel good. She will be missed. Jerry Boles
Our daughter, Elisabeth, ’03, was honored to receive the endowed scholarship given by Dr and Mrs. McClintick. We extend our deepest sympathies for your loss of such a formidable, classy,honest,generous, caring, down to earth woman. It was a true pleasure to have crossed paths in life with her.
My cousin Connie was 12 years old when I was born, and as we grew up always a bit intimidating with her matter-of-fact, no-nonsense approach to life. But I always felt a special bond with her, an unquestionable closeness that is the result of strong family ties and mutual love and respect. I suspect her life was not as easy as some would think. She married at a very young age, watched her new husband go off to war, learned he had been wounded in the Pacific, all while caring for her first child during those uncertain wartime days. In subsequent years Connie and Chili (with sons Mac, Lee and Clyde) lived in more houses and cities than you could possibly count due to Chili’s job assignments. In later years she lost both her first-born son and her husband in close order. I loved her very much, and fortunately managed to tell her so during several coversations in recent years. It will be difficult to imagine this world without her. Marty Harrison
I shall miss Connie so much. We enjoyed our church services and the UDC group we belonged to. Dit Justiss
Thanks to you, Connie’s family, for watching over her and taking such good care of her. The memorial service and everything about it was such a loving and accurate way of sending her home to God. My husband, Jimmy Carter, was a fellow DO at Texas State Optical with Chili. I have a fond memories of good times shared among the McClinticks, Andersons and Carters. Connie so very kindly made it to my husband’s funeral three years ago all by herself, even though it was a longer trip and she was using a walker then. As usual, the clothing was impeccable, the eyes were bright, and her words and style were perfect! It was such a joy to see her again and it meant such a lot to me. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
i remember her well she so reminded of my aunt weasie they could have been sisters if you saw then apart they had so many actions in the same way kate and i both loved them and thought the world of both she wll be missed
Dear Lee & Elise, I am sorry I wasn’t able to be with you today,but I was ill. I am so sorry about your mother she was so much fun. I would run into her & Chile at restaurants etc. and then your mom, she had a great since of humor. Always know that I love the both of you and would love to get with you when you are in town. Love Pam Embrey
We celebrate the life of Constance McClintick. May God comfort her family and many friends. We pray that they will recall many happy memories from years gone by. Grace and peace,