Constance Ford Walker
d. December 14, 2013
Constance “Connie” Ford Walker, 49, passed away on Saturday, December 14, at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Born April 20, 1964, in Cheverly, Md., Connie graduated in 1986 from the University of Maryland, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree, emphasizing apparel design.
Following college, Connie worked for the Troika Organization, managing a costume shop for dozens of musical productions for dinner theatre and touring theatrical productions. During this time, she also designed costumes for several theatrical productions.
In 1991, Connie branched out on her own and opened first Silhouette Bridal Design, and then Aleya Bridal. Both companies focused on providing brides one-of-a-kind bridal gowns. Aleya Bridal created gowns that were sold in bridal shops throughout North America. Connie was a mainstay in the bridal industry in Maryland for 15 years.
In 2007, wanting a change of pace from wedding gowns, Connie became the website and email marketing manager for Great State Publishing, LLC, which published Maryland Life magazine.
Working for Maryland Life also provided Connie the opportunity to home school her daughter, Sophia. Connie loved being a home school teacher and was instrumental in several home school co-ops, working with other parents to further their children’s education.
When not working, Connie challenged herself with various artistic endeavors. In recent years, she spent a lot of time in paper arts: making wall-hangings, and even a dress, out of a special heavy-duty paper reserved normally for the construction trades.
Connie is survived by her husband, Dan Patrell and daughter, Sophia Patrell, of Frederick; sister, Marilyn Walker, of Poolesville; brother, Will Walker, of Saline, Michigan, and her mother, Jane Agricola, of Derwood. She was preceded in death by her father, William Walker.
The family will receive friends from 9 – 11 a.m., Friday, December 20, at Glade United Church of Christ, 21 Fulton Ave., Walkersville, Md. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at Glade, officiated by Pastor Philip Curran.