Much loved island songstress dies
Connie Jayne Ferguson Pritchard, 59, of Holmes Beach, died Aug. 29 from Multiple System Atrophy, a rare degenerative neurological disorder.
She was born Sept. 30, 1956, in Indianapolis to Jane and James Edward Daywalt. She honeymooned in Florida with her first husband, Dave Ferguson, and never left.
She was well known as a musician and also was a successful business owner. At age 18, she owned and operated her first business, a beauty salon on Manatee Avenue. She worked on refurbishing houses and managed a garden center in Holmes Beach before launching Connie’s Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance — which remains in business. It is managed by her husband, Scott Pritchard.
Friends remember her as a burst of energy, full of life and excited about everything she did — always with a sparkle in her eye and a bit of magic in her step. She loved her island home, kids and grandkids.
She had extensive knowledge of plants and strong interests in the moon and astrology.
She gained a wide audience of music fans with her ability to remember everyone’s favorite song and likeness of the tenure of her voice to singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks. She recorded a demo for Warner Bros. titled “The Thrill of the Grill” but, with kids as her priority, she turned down a record contract.
The last 14 years of her performing career were spent harmonizing on stage as the duo Connie & Scott. The couple married May 17, 2014.
Musicians, friends and fans are invited to a celebration of Connie Pritchard’s life at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, starting at noon Sunday, Sept. 27. This night there will be both a full moon and lunar eclipse, which would have been a special occasion for her.
Other services will be held privately. Donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton, Cure MSA or the MSA Coalition.
She is survived by husband Scott; daughter Dixie and husband John Jernigan; son Jesse and wife Mandie Rose Ferguson; grandchildren Fletcher Ferguson, Olivia and Brady Jernigan; and brother Jimmy Daywalt of Phoenix.
— Diana Bogan