 "One of Connie’s many cross-stitch projects. Click to enlarge.")
I am sorry to learn that Connie Nordahl passed on (as she would have said), on Sunday, September 5, 2004. Connie was the original owner of WordSmith, a transcription and typesetting service in South Weymouth, Massachusetts; as such, she was my first boss in Desktop Publishing. (Eventually, I bought out most of the business, which became WordSmith Digital Document Services.)
Working for Connie was very helpful to my computer career; indeed, working at WordSmith provided many skills and opportunities that became foundational to what I am doing today (Java programming and Web development). When I ever get around to my page to honor “people who have helped me in life,†Connie will have an important place.
A few weeks ago, I started writing an e-mail because I’d read my first book by P.D. James, one of her favorite authors. Unfortunately, I never finished and sent it. I will also miss having someone who always agreed with strict grammatical rules.
A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran House of Prayer in Hingham (916 Main St., Route 228), at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 18, 2004.
We have many things at our house to remind us of Connie. In fact the silverware we eat with (or at least part of it; there are six Wilcoxes now, after all) was a wedding gift from her.
Even more special are the numerous cross-stitch projects. We have one that she did when Isaac was born, and our favorite one is right over our dining room table: an equisite work showing the twenty-third Psalm.
As I think back, I am reminded of how much I learned when working for Connie at WordSmith, ultimately, as I had mentioned, she taught me what I needed to know to run the business. After about five years, she kept the transcription side and a few other clients, and I bought out the graphics design and typesetting portion which became WordSmith Digital Document Services.
She was a pleasure to work for and with. We both enjoyed reading, and loved discussing the abuse of the rules of grammar. (Yes, I am aware that I ended a previous sentence with a preposition.) I suspect she was pleased to work with a young person (I was 20) who was so conservative and shared similar values. I was thrilled to have a job in the computer field, and eager for the opportunity to create and to learn.
I hate goodbyes. I will miss her.
Hello Doug!
Thanks for your memories of Mom – I know she enjoyed working with you.
She would have also enjoyed knowing you got to see her beloved grandson! Thanks for reintroducing yourself after the service. I knew you looked familiar but couldn't recall why.
Best wishes to you and your beautiful family!