Willard Louise Conn

Willard Louise Conn, lovingly known as "Tootie," was born September 9, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the late William Arthur Edwards and Willard Louise Graham. On Monday, June 9, 2025, she transitioned from this earthly life into God's eternal care.

Willard met her future husband, Roy Conn, Jr., in the 10th grade at a Bible school in the Greenfield neighborhood. They were united in holy matrimony on February 20, 1953, by Reverend Charles E. Wright at St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church. Their loving union was blessed with eight children-three daughters and five sons.

A proud graduate of Allderdice High School, Willard later attended Connelley Trade School, earning a certificate in Food Service in 1976. She faithfully worked for 25 years preparing and serving food in the Mercy Hospital Cafeteria, where her dedication and kindness were evident to all.

Willard had a lifelong passion for cooking and was exceptional at it. As a young woman, she dreamed of becoming a chef at a a five-star restaurant. Instead , her own kitchen became a place of comfort, joy, and nourishment for family and friends.

She raised her children across four decades-from the 1950s through the 1980s-instilling in them a deep love for each other, a commitment to education, and respect for all people. Amid the challenges of raising a large family in inner-city Pittsburgh, she remained unwavering in her faith, her discipline, and her love.

Willard was a woman of many gifts: she sewed, typed, swam, and cheered on her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. Handy and resourceful, she often fixed things around the house, teaching her children the value of self-reliance and determination.

A lifelong and devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church, her faith was the foundation of her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roy Conn Jr., and her siblings Florence Edwards Ralls, Mary Edwards Carter, and William A. Edwards.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her brother Richard Edwards; her children-Rachel (Conn) Steward Jackson (Van), Roy Conn III (Sharon), Brenda Conn (Charles), James Conn (Erma), William Conn (Donna), Marvin Conn (Debbie), Claudia (Conn) Hodges (Terry), and Aaron Conn (Paula); along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

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