Connie Sue Cameron

Connie Sue Cameron, born on May 3rd, 1950, to Isabell (Babe) and James (Squanto) Mahon, passed away peacefully in her home on September 8th, 2024, beside the love of her life, Richard (Rick) Cameron. Connie was known and loved by many, never meeting a stranger she didn’t make feel welcome. A cherished member of the Buena Vista community, she was celebrated for her kindness, compassion, and tireless support to those around her. She was always willing to offer her help, often taking those in need under her wing.

Connie graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1968. Soon after, she married Donald Shake, and together they had two sons: Shawn in 1972 and Donnie in 1976. Though their marriage ended, she found her soulmate in Rick in 1990, and they were wed on May 2nd, 1992. Together, they built their home on North Colorado Ave. and managed the motel in front of it that Connie had built with her father when she was just 16 years old.

Connie’s life was one of love and dedication to her family, friends, and community. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed. Connie fostered many children throughout her life and was known for her generosity, particularly around Christmas when she would ensure local families had gifts for their children. A proud grandmother, affectionately called “Nana,” she adored her seven grandchildren. She was thrilled to welcome her newest grandson, Owen, born on June 3rd, 2024. In the last year of her life, Connie helped plan her granddaughter Sadie’s wedding, an event she was eagerly anticipating in May 2025. She will be greatly missed at the celebration.

In her professional life, Connie wore many hats, working as a waitress, a flag girl for a construction company, and owning and operating the Twin Lakes General Store. She also served as the postmaster of Twin Lakes and was best known for her role as the owner of The Lariat Bar and Grill, which she ran for 28 years. She made a lasting impact on her community and formed lifelong friendships through her work. After selling the bar in 2015, Connie remained active, managing the bar at the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), where many of her former patrons followed her. She never truly retired, always finding new ways to spend her time. Connie was an avid gardener to her tomato plants with Rick. She was also a very good cook, known for her famous biscuits and gravy and pork and avocado burritos. Her home was always open to anyone, especially around the holidays, when no one left without a meal or food to take home.

Connie will be remembered for her infectious laughter, warm smile, and unwavering generosity. Resilient, incredibly strong, facing adversity with grace and passing this resilience on to her children and grandchildren. Her love for animals was well known, often feeding stray cats, birds, and taking pride in her miniature burros that she owned for several years behind her home. It was Connie who encouraged her son Shawn to get a "free horse" for her granddaughter Sadie, sparking Sadie’s lifelong love for horses, a passion that her son Donnie also shares.

Never one to shy away from speaking her mind, Connie was a strong advocate for what was right and gave the best advice to anyone who sought her counsel. She was a lover of books, with James Patterson as her favorite author. She managed many rental properties and other ventures until her final days.

Connie’s roots in Buena Vista run deep; her family settled in Chaffee County in the 1800s and were one of the founding families of the area, once known as Mahonsville. She was proud of her heritage in the area and loved to speak about it.  She was the rodeo queen at Buena Vista’s Collegiate Peaks Stampede in 1965. She was a cheer leader for BVHS as well as the president of the pep club.

Connie is survived by her husband, Rick; her sisters Penni Jorgensen, and Yvonne (Mike) Flanagan; her sons Shawn (Michol) Shake, Donnie Shake, Ryan (Janel) Cameron, and Chris (Danielle) Cameron; her daughter Brenda Cameron; and her beloved grandchildren Sadie Shake, Xander and Hollis Cameron, Garret and Gage Adams, and Evan and Owen Cameron.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Isabell and James Mahon; her sisters Millie Mahon and Mary DeBore; and her brothers Amos Taylor, Joe Taylor, Jim Taylor, and Bobbie Taylor.

A service to celebrate Connie’s wonderful life will be held on Saturday September 14, 2024 at the Buena Vista VFW Hall at 2:00 pm. Friends and family are invited to come together to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mayo Clinic in her honor.

Connie leaves behind a large hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, but her spirit will live on through the many lives she touched. Rest in peace, Nana.

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