Connie Winona Gavitt

Connie Winona Gavitt (Ellsworth) died peacefully on December 20, 2025, in Hudson, Michigan, at the age of 88.

Connie is survived by her five children:  Stephen Mitchell of Coldwater, Michigan, Susan (Jim) Brown of St. Johns, Michigan, Dale (Donna) Mitchell of Central Lake, Michigan, Dalietta (Dennis) Novello of Charlotte, Michigan, and Oleisa (Neal) Moor of Jerome, Michigan.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Dale Mitchell, 2nd husband Willis Gavitt, Sr., as well as two grandchildren.

Connie was born on May 28, 1937, in Lansing, Michigan, to Harvey and Betty Ellsworth.  She graduated from Eastern High School in 1955.  She married her high school sweetheart, Dale Mitchell, and they had four children together.  Later in life, she would marry Willis Gavitt, Sr., and they would have one child together.

Connie was a very kind, generous and compassionate person who had a strong love for her children as well as animals.  She was passionate about caring for feral cats, and it was not uncommon for her to have over 10 cats to care for any given time.  She also dearly loved her indoor cats, Fluffy and Buffy, who survive.  In addition to her love for animals, she enjoyed gardening, camping, bowling, and spending time with her friends and family (even the four-legged ones).  She was an active member of the Jerome Methodist Church for many years, as well as being a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the 103^rd Division of WWII and the president of the local gardening club.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Elara Caring of Adrian, Michigan, as well as the staff of Maple Ridge Assisted Living of Hudson, Michigan, for their care and dedication to our mother.

A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, with interment to immediately follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing, MI, Rev. Tim Puckett will officiate the ceremony.  Visitation will be Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Connie’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society, Osseo, Michigan, or Elara Caring of Adrian, Michigan.  Online condolences may be left for her family at www.EstesLeadley.com.