Connie Elizabeth (Ellington) Rod Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Connie Elizabeth (Ellington) Rod of Minot, North Dakota, who passed away on May 24, 2020, at the age of 37. Connie was a loving and devoted mother of three daughters who were her whole world.

Connie was born on September 22, 1982, in Alexandria, Louisiana, where she graduated from Alexandria Senior High School in 2000. She continued her education graduating from Park University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and presented original research at Stanford University. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University, and a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University. At the time of her passing, Connie was pursuing her doctoral education at Arizona State University.

On her journey in life, she lived in Louisiana, Georgia, Washington, Texas, and North Dakota. No matter where she was, home was wherever her family was, and she always carried a piece of Louisiana in her heart. She would often get lost when exploring a new area and took up the mantra that “being lost was the best way to get to know a place”.

Connie loved going home to Louisiana for crawfish, shrimp, alligator, boudin balls, and crabbing trips to the coast. She always made sure she had enough Louisiana food to bring back to her friends up North so she could introduce them to “real food”. Connie loved Mardi Gras and cheering on the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints.

Connie’s passion was people, and that reflected in both her work and personal life. She loved helping others and had a tremendous capacity for empathy and compassion as she helped individual’s overcome addictions and meet life’s challenges. Connie touched the lives of many people and was kind to everyone. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She never met a stranger and would go out of her way to help anyone.

Connie was an organ donor and was able to give the gift of live to four people whom she never met.

She enjoyed entertaining friends and family, was always full of laughter, fun, and well-timed puns. She loved the mountains, swamps, prairies, lakes, oceans, beaches, and snow. Her love of exploration and adventure was immense. She enjoyed baking, traveling, hiking, fishing, ATV riding, and drives to nowhere.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Faith, Bridget, and Hailey Tyler of Minot, ND; parents Paul and Stephanie Ellington, brother Paul Ellington, II, sister Cynthia Ellington, nieces Bayleigh Cataldie and Raeanne Ellington, of Alexandria, LA, and many extended family and friends.

Connie’s final resting place will be by the pond at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery in Pineville, LA, where she can watch the ducks.

Connie, we hope there are goats everywhere in heaven.

Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Connie Elizabeth (Ellington) Rod to pay them a last tribute. You may also light a candle in honor of Connie Elizabeth (Ellington) Rod.