Connie Finney (Shonka)

Born July 25, 1942, in Hastings, Connie spent her childhood in Columbus, NE. At age ten she contracted bulbar polio, spending months in an iron lung before making a miraculous full recovery. Connie moved to Bellevue in 1969 and then to Omaha in 2000. Above all else, love was Connie’s guiding force. Caring for others, building community, and service would be throughlines of her entire life.

The formative years of her career were at the Welcome School in Bellevue, as a teacher and then eventual director. During these years she earned her Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Development at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In 1990, she was named Director of the James R. Russell Child Development Center at Creighton University. Highlights of her 20 years of leadership include achieving accreditation under the National Association for the Education of Young Children, implementing an innovative outdoor nature classroom, and overseeing the transition to a new, permanent building that increased the number of families the center could serve.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Connie was ever-present and engaged in the lives of her family. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandson, each of whom adored her. Connie found the love of her life in Terry Finney and the two were married in 2012 at the ages of 69 and 75. They loved to travel together, journeying to India, Ireland, Italy and Germany.

Connie was a woman of deep faith. She put her faith into action by volunteering with an innumerable list of ministries and community organizations including many at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bellevue and, later, St. John's Parish Catholic Church at Creighton University. A lifelong learner, reader, and thinker, Connie was forward looking and cared deeply about current issues. She embraced all aspects of life and valued being physically active through walking and yoga.

Survivors include her loving husband, Terry; children Michele (Kevin), Molly (David), and Chris (Nicole); grandchildren Andrew (Kayleigh), Rachel (Steve), Carole, and Avery; great grandchild Caspian; sister Sue (John); and nieces Bridgette (AJ) and Katie (Erik). Connie was preceded by her parents Jack and Helen and sister, Kathy.

Private Family interment will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to:

Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative: https://nebraskaearly.org/

Holy Family Homeless Services: https://www.ssvpomaha.org/homeless-ministries.html

St. John’s Parish Catholic Church: https://www.stjohns-creighton.org/

Parking on the Creighton Campus is limited. To view options and learn about shuttles, go to the parish's parking information page at https://www.stjohns-creighton.org/parking. Carpooling or the use of ride share options is recommended.

For those unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial Service a livestream link has been provided by St. John's Parish Catholic Church to view the service. Livestream Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUs0IhkfgfM