Obituary: Condon, Carolu Ann (Neavins)
Age 80
Carolu was born December 13th, 1933 in Davenport, Iowa to Harry and Lucille Neavins.
She grew up in Rock Island, Illinois with her siblings, Sue, Robert, and Thomas, learning to sew well and becoming known for her resourcefulness.
She was valedictorian at Villa de Chantal and concluded her education by graduating with honors from Creighton University with a degree in Pharmacy, where she was associated with Rho Chi pharmacy honorary, Gamma Pi Epsilon Jesuit honorary and was the President of the Pan-Hellenic Council as well as the President of the Mu Alpha chapter of Theta Upsilon Sorority.
During her senior dance at Creighton she met and fell in love with her beloved husband Dr. John Joseph Condon (Jack).
Carolu and Jack married September 8th, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rock Island, Illinois with Jack’s uncle, Bishop William J. Condon of Great Falls, Montana performing the ceremony.
Over the next eighteen years, Carolu and Jack brought ten children into the world: Ann (Blaine), Mary (deceased), Mike, Mark, Lisa (Boge), John, Bob, Larry, Ted, and David.
They placed great faith in good education, sending their children to St. Augustine’s and Cataldo Catholic School, Marycliff High School, and Gonzaga Preparatory School.
For over three decades, you could count on finding Carolu watching her children and grandchildren play Prep Football, attending swim meets, soccer games, track and field meets, numerous other sports and ballet recitals.
Carolu also enjoyed spending long summer days at Hayden Lake playing cards with her grandchildren, and hosting bridge club and Christmas parties.
Carolu devoted her life to serving and praying for others in the larger Spokane community.
She annually hosted the House of Charities Poor Man’s meal as well as thousands of dedicated hours to the homeless of Spokane.
She participated in her community as a board member for Daughters of the Revolution, Delta Zeta sorority, and for many years hosted the Gonzaga Prep Annual Christmas Dinner at her home.
She was overjoyed to have the dining hall named in her honor at the new House of Charities facility at Pacific and Brown.
After 54 years of marriage, Carolu mourned the loss of Jack in 2010 and still spoke of him every day.
She will be forever missed by her three siblings, nine children, thirty grandchildren, and ten great-children, as well as all the branches of the Neavins and Condon families.
The family expresses its deep gratitude for all of the love and support she received from her friends that visited and went to Mass with her, as well as a special thanks to Family First Senior caregivers Amy, Linda, Lynn, Barbara, Tara, Kenlynn and spiritual care volunteer Bob Smee.
All of whom spent time with our Carolu playing cards, watching classic movies and Mariners games, singing “when Irish eyes are smiling”, reading Bible passages and praying.
We know Carolu will be eternally grateful to Fr.
Bob McNeese, her priest at St. Augustine’s throughout her final years, for honoring her with a special family mass at her home recently.
In memory of Carolu’s life, a Vigil service will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church Friday, September 26th at 6:00p.m., 428 West 19th Ave, with a wake to follow.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Augustine’s.
Both Carolu and Jack were dedicated to the value of Catholic education for all.
If you would like to honor Carolu’s memory, donations can be made to the Condon Family Scholarship at Gonzaga Preparatory School, the Dr. James R. and Bridget Condon Student Athlete Scholarship at Gonzaga University, or the Dr. James R. and Bridget Condon Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Creighton University.