Connie Jill Begay

Connie Jill Begay (Klingonsmith), 67, passed away on September 4, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on September 30, 1953 in Cedar City Utah to Edyth Whitney and Phillip Klingonsmith.

Jill grew up in Pintura Utah on her family farm. She loved helping her mom in the garden and helping her siblings with the daily chores. During her childhood Jill's family ran the post office in Pintura and one of her favorite pastimes was helping her mom sort the mail.  Jill graduated from Hurricane High School class of '72.

In 1979 Jill married William G. Abbott, shortly after marrying they got pregnant with their daughter Alberta and three short years later they conceived their son William. William Sr. and Jill were married for 19 years before divorcing. Jill later remarried and moved to the reservation outside of Page Az. While living on the reservation Jill had to help haul water and herd sheep for many miles. After a few years Jill and Leonard went their separate ways and Jill moved back to Utah. She ended up in Hurricane so she could be closer to her family.

In 2009 Jill's son William blessed her with her first grandchild, a little baby boy. Jill couldn't have been more elated. Over the next 6 years William and his wife blessed Jill with 3 more grandchildren, all girls. Jill's 4 grandchildren were her life, she loved nothing more than being a grandma and most of her past time was spent with her grandkids. She was a devoted and loving grandma, mom, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be sorely missed by all who loved her.

Jill is preceded in death by her parents Edyth and Phillip Klingonsmith, her sister Edyth, and her brothers Phiilip Jr., Doug, Kurt, Victor, & Legrand. She is survived by her siblings Winnie and Tim, her children Alberta (Vaughn) Hawks, & William (ShaNiece) Abbott, and her grandchildren Maisen, Brylie, Rexleigh, and Adelyn Abbott.