Longtime Homer resident Connie Rene Burrer, 53, died Sunday, March 2, 2014, at home in Homer from metastatic breast cancer.

Memorial services were held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the American Legion Post 16 in Homer. A Catholic memorial mass will be held Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Forrest Lake, Minn.

Connie was born Oct. 1, 1960, in Minneapolis, Minn. She graduated from Marshell U. High School. 

Connie came to Alaska at the age of 25 with her two small children to visit her brother, Mike. She fell in love with Alaska, and made it her home. She loved to drive and would often load up the car for spur-of-the-moment camping trips.

She started working as a certified nursing assistant at the Anchorage Pioneer Home where she stayed until moving to Homer, where she worked in Long Term Care at South Peninsula Hospital. 

“Her naturally caring and giving personality made the job a perfect fit,” her family said. “What Connie loved most in life were her three kids. She always had time to spend and have fun with them. She was a wonderful listener, always giving unconditional love, acceptance and support. She loved and helped raise her granddaughter as if she was one of her own. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved decorating and having all the kids under the same roof.”

In January 2013, Connie went to Minnesota to help her mother recover after surgery. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2013. She received excellent care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. During that time, she reconnected with her mother, sisters and multiple nieces. She fought hard and bravely went through each step of treatment, never complaining. Unfortunately, there was nothing more the doctors could do. She returned home to be with her kids on Jan. 15, 2014.

“Connie was a happy, loving, beautiful person. Her smile would light up a room. She wanted everyone around her to be happy. She was the first to lend a hand, an ear, or hug when it was needed. She touched many people throughout her life. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed,” her family said.

She is survived by her children, Renee Burrer, David Ross, and Erik Hendrickson; granddaughter, Savanna Burrer; her mother, Laurine Burrer; twin sister, Cindy Burrer; sister, Debbie Burrer; brother, Michael Moberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.