Obituary for Connie Sauter

Connie Lee Sauter (Davis), 76, of Westerville entered the loving arms of the Lord surrounded by her family and closest friends on October 17, 2020, after experiencing complications from heart surgery.

Sparky, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and friends, was a beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and grandmother. Connie is proceeded in death by her husband, John L. Sauter along with parents Catherine and Thomas Davis, her sister Carol Davis, her father and mother-in-law John and Adelaide Sauter. She is survived by her two sisters, Sr. Margie Davis and Merribeth (Pete) Bursik and two brothers Johnny and Tommy (Janet) Davis. Connie and John were the parents of five children, Cathy (Anthony) Casale, Theresa Valentine, Dr. Elizabeth (Brian) Unk, Christopher (Rick) Sauter, and Laura (Sam) Almakki. Her pride and joy in her later years were her eleven beautiful grandchildren, Maddie, Anna, Aidan, Haven, Emily, Isabelle, Jonathan, Austin, Lily, Lexi and Sofia.

Connie graduated from Watterson High School in 1962 and attended St. Mary’s of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University) where she studied Elementary Education. At age 20, Connie began her ministry teaching 50 fifth graders at St. Michaels in Worthington, OH most of whom attended her wedding to John.

Connie had a generosity of spirit and love of life second to none. Connie’s greatest joy in life was her family and service to others. In 1986, Connie was awarded the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind award. For over 30 years, Connie and John served as foster parents for Catholic Social Services and provided a loving and nurturing home to over 60 foster children. In 1995, they were awarded the Foster Family of the Year award by Catholic Social Services. In addition to fostering children, Connie was an active volunteer with the Humane Society and to the delight of her grandchildren and their friends she was always fostering puppies and kittens.

Connie always showed God’s love and mercy to everyone she met and she devoted her whole life to promoting the worth and dignity of every human being. Over the years, she was an active board member and volunteer of countless organizations including Friends of the Homeless, Helping Hands Free Medical Clinic and current board member of the Catholic Foundation.

A parishioner of St. Paul’s Catholic Church for over 50 years, Connie represented the parish on the Deanery committee, St. Vincent DePaul Society and was a Eucharist minister to the homebound. Connie was an active participant in St. Paul’s small church community for the last 10 years as the group facilitator. She also was a Dominican Associate and on the Advisory Board of the Dominican Learning Center.

In addition to giving back to the community, Connie had an innate love of nature. Connie loved fishing in Canada or in her back yard on Hoover Reservoir. She loved kayaking, biking and hiking with friends. Connie was a certified naturalist and loved sharing her knowledge of wildflowers, birds and trees with anyone that would listen. She found her greatest delight in family get togethers by the camp fire, dusk pontoon boat rides, Thursday pool talk, sleeping out in the camper and the first snowfall of the winter season. She loved being a Girl Scout leader when her girls were young and singing and playing the guitar in the church song group. Connie lived life to the fullest and with no regrets. Her love of God, family and friends were without bounds. She chose love and acceptance at every turn, and treated every person she met with kindness, and compassion. She gave unconditional love to friends and strangers alike and made the world a better place. She will live on in our hearts and be with us wherever we go.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love, prayers and support during these past 11 days. God’s grace was present in every moment and we are thankful for the tireless care she received.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Connie’s name to either St. Vincent DePaul’s Society of St. Paul the Apostle Church 313 North State Street Westerville, Ohio 43082 or The Humane Society of Delaware County, 4920 St Rt 37 E Delaware, Ohio 43015. 

Family will receive friends Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at HILL FUNERAL HOME, Westerville. IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING CALLING HOURS: Due to Covid 19, EVERYONE wishing to attend calling hours MUST call HILL FUNERAL HOME at 614-882-2121 between 8:30 am and 5 pm to reserve one of the 30 minute time slots starting at 3 pm until 6:00 pm Wednesday, October 21, 2020. NO EXCEPTIONS. Only thirty registered people will be permitted in the building at a time. This is necessary to protect the family, our staff and everyone wishing to attend. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, October 22, 2020 at St Paul Catholic Church. Fr. Charles Klinger Celebrant followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery. Mass will be lived streamed through St Paul’s Facebook page.