CONNIE RAE ANDERSON passed away on Sept. 5, 2009, in Green Valley after a prolonged illness.

Born on Nov. 29, 1938, in Shepherd, Mich., she was the first child of John and Eileen Fisher. Connie received a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Michigan in May 1959.

On June 18, 1960, she married Gerhard D. Anderson, MD, in Saginaw, Mich. After completing service in the U.S. Air Force and surgical residency, Connie and Gary settled in Englewood, Colo. in 1967. While raising their three children, they also worked together in Gary’s orthopaedic office, with Connie responsible for the business aspects of the office.

They retired from the medical field in 1992, when they moved to Velarde, N.M. and opened Black Mesa Winery, which they operated until 2000. They then relocated to Santa Fe, N.M. and subsequently to Green Valley in 2008.

Connie loved to sing, especially choral music. She participated for several years in Santa Fe Music Works, a nonprofit choral group. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Connie Anderson Memorial Fund, Santa Fe Music Works, PO Box 23198, Santa Fe, NM 87502.

Together, Connie and Gary raised three wonderful sons: Bret (Michelle) of Park City, Utah, Kent (Suzie) of Sandia Park, N.M. and Tim (Keri) of Ridgecrest, Calif. Connie is also survived by her brother Ken Fisher (Priscilla) of Shelby, Mich.; and five grandchildren: Holly Anderson of Fullerton, Calif., Petr Anderson of Sandia Park, Jarrod Weinzaphel of Ridgecrest, Erik Anderson also of Ridgecrest and Tyler Anderson of Park City; as well as and many friends.