SPRINGFIELD - Connie Jean Broccardo (Hardwick), a longtime resident of Springfield, Ill., passed away peacefully on September 9, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center. Connie's final year was spent fighting a tough battle against cancer.

She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 11, 1964, to Carrolyn Anderson and Charles Hardwick. Connie, a graduate of Lanphier High School, continued on to work as a flight attendant and as a beautician at a young age.

Later in life, Connie chose to pursue her dream of working in the medical field. She returned to school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, as well as a Medical Assistant. Connie truly loved taking care of patients, whether it was helping them with their journey of healing or assisting the very ill.

Although, her most cherished job was being a mother. Her ferocious love and pride for her children carried her through life and brought her insurmountable joy and comfort during happy and challenging times.

Connie thoroughly enjoyed many outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, and especially gardening.

It was rare to find her inside the house from March until November. Instead, family and friends could expect to find a note on the front door that read "In Back Yard."

She loved celebrating with loved ones at a lively house or cookout, or hustling at a game of pool, as she could easily beat anyone in the region.

Connie had a silly, enticingly funny and ornery side to her that could not be ignored. When everyone saw that familiar smiling gleam in her eye, you couldn't help but laugh with her. She is always loved and will be greatly missed by all she knew.

She is survived by a loving and supportive family including her children, Gabriella (Kasey), Dante, and Alexandria; her mother, Carrolyn; and her siblings, Charlene (Dennis), Barb (Ed), Kenneth (Bonnie), and Betty Jo; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with many lifelong friends that became family.

A Celebration of Life in her honor will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015, from 12-3 p.m. at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home.

Donations to help her children with service costs should be made to Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home in her name.

Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home, 530 N. 5th St., Springfield, IL 62702, is in charge of arrangements.

Visit our online obituary at www.ellingerkunzfuneralhome.com.