Obituary: Eller, Constance
Age 61
Constance Eller, beloved wife, mother and grand-mother, died peacefully at home in Spokane on May 28.
She is survived by her husband Thomas Bayne, her daughters Michelle (Brent) Baldwin and Charissa Eller-Doughty (Troy Holder), her grandchildren Alexis, Nicholas, Deja, Phoenix, Mia, and Katherine, her brother Gregory Ernest Eller (Sarah Sand) and a large and loving extended family.
These and the many friends, colleagues and clients who were drawn into the Universe of Constance will find the world a little dimmer without her.
Constance, the only daughter of Ernest W. and Milicent Wonder Eller, studied violin with her dear mentor Sr. Xavier Mary Courvoisier, SNJM, and continued her musical education at Boston University.
She was a member of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and, later, concert-mistress of the Gonzaga Symphony.
She loved chamber music and played with a number of small ensembles, including Quartetto Espressivo.
And in recent years she entertained audiences throughout the Northwest with performances ranging from hot jazz, blues and rock to traditional Gypsy music in bands as diverse as Red Velvet Viper and Hot Club of Spokane.
In addition she served as secretary-treasurer of Professional Musicians Union Local 105.
A tattoo artist since 1978, she literally left her mark on thousands from all corners of the globe.
Constance was the owner of River City Tattoo and Constant Creations and an early member of the National Tattoo Association and the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
She received the prestigious R J Rosini Award, among others.
She was interviewed frequently as an expert in modern tattooing, and her work was noted in a PBS documentary “Women of the Ink”.
She was a favorite at several of the Sturgis rallies over the years.
Please join us for a Celebration of Constance Eller’s life at the Sons of Norway Lodge on Saturday, June 15, from five to nine p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to your local Professional Musicians’ Union Benevolent Fund.
Or hire a band for your next party.
Take an oboist to lunch.
Or just play a tune, sing a song, and dance around the kitchen in her honor.