Connie M. Savage-Frokic

  Connie M. Savage-Frokic of Walla Walla, WA, a remarkable soul who touched the lives of all who knew her, passed away on January 2, 2024 at the age of 51. She brought boundless joy, energy, and inspiration to everyone around her. Her verve and passion for life were infectious to anyone she met. Connie was a beacon of kindness, compassion, and unwavering love.

  Connie was born on May 1, 1972, to Coleen and Thomas Savage in a small country hospital in Comfrey, Minnesota, and grew up in northwest Iowa, concluding her primary studies at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, where she graduated in 1990. In her high school years, she explored various passions, including travel and pro-life activism. Connie pursued her undergraduate education at The University of Saint Catherine where she finished a triple major in International Business and Economics, Philosophy (Applied Ethics), and French. During her undergraduate studies, she traveled and studied in France on two separate occasions, living both in Dijon and Rennes.

  During an internship in Dijon, she established connections with Kobrand Corporation in New York, where she was hired on as an Executive Assistant upon her return from France. This began 23 years at the company, based in the New York area. Connie and Leo met in 1997 at a wine event at Times Square. After becoming engaged just days before 9/11, they were married in September 2002 at The Actors' Chapel at St. Malachy's Church in Manhattan. In 2001, Connie began her MBA in International Business at The City University of New York, Zicklin School of Business. Later, in 2016, she completed the Master of Science and Marketing at Manhattanville College. Over the years, Connie and Leo grew their family, welcoming their first child, a daughter, Eleonora in 2002; shortly thereafter Luka, their first son, was born in 2004. In 2007, they welcomed Emilia Joy to the family.

  Over the course of her career at Kobrand, she grew in responsibility and was ultimately promoted to Vice President - Director of Supplier Relations. During her tenure, she developed many important and deep relationships with the most talented and fascinating people in the wine and spirits industry. Her responsibilities had her traveling on a regular basis, and she worked extensively throughout South America, the United States, and Europe for the demands of the role. It was during one of these many travels that she first personally and professionally discovered Walla Walla in 2012 and promptly fell in love with the wine, terrain, and people. At this time, Connie made a connection with L’Ecole Nº 41 winery and the Clubb family. This encounter was serendipitous as years later, their paths would meet again.

  As fortune would have it, in 2018, L’Ecole was in search of a new General Manager to replace the soon-retiring, excellent manager, Debbie Frol. This opportunity was a perfect fit and they promptly moved to Walla Walla. On September 1, 2018, she started her new position as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of L’Ecole Nº 41 winery, coinciding with the first day of harvest. While at L’Ecole, Connie reveled in her new “dream job,” carrying the flag for the winery, Walla Walla, and Washington State with pride. She also served on the Executive Committee for Walla Walla Valley Wine, a nonprofit wine industry membership organization. At home, Connie and Leo enjoyed their children and extensive gardening, having recently added a greenhouse dome to the effort. Being under the beautiful Walla Walla skies was one of the great joys of her life, whether gardening or showing esteemed wine critics vineyards of the valley.

  It was amidst these wonderful blessings of this new life in Walla Walla that Connie began to feel ill in July 2022 and received a diagnosis by mid-September of Pancreatic Cancer. Her cancer treatment brought Leo and her to Texas before seeking most of her care in Portland and Walla Walla. If asked, Connie would call out the excellent care she received from many healthcare professionals - in particular wonderful nurses and helpful chaplains, and the unwavering support of family and friends which inspired her daily.

  Beyond her accomplishments, Connie was a cherished friend, a loving partner, and a devoted parent. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and selflessness that will continue to shape our lives.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Connie's family for a donation towards the efforts in pancreatic cancer research.

  Connie is survived by her husband Leopold, and their three children, Eleonora, Luka, and Emilia. By her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Coleen Savage, by her brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Cory and Shelly Savage, her sister, Christa Mesz, and her husband, Bryan, as well as her sister Carla Bleil.  She is survived by nieces and nephews Corey, Ashley, Hailey, Graham and Bennett Savage, Jolee, Kaylee, Adelynn and Michael Mesz, Jace, Bailey, and Brylee Bleil.

  A Funeral Mass to celebrate the life of Connie will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa. Viewing will be at 9:00 a.m. with Mass following at 10:30 a.m. Following the service, a burial will take place at West Fork Township Cemetery, located at Climbing Hill, Iowa. Friends and family are welcome to join us in honoring Connie and offering their final farewells.

  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vernon and Margaret Anderson, and Joseph and Doris Savage. Her memory will forever remain etched in our hearts, reminding us to live with the same love, laughter, and zest for life that she embodied.

  A Celebration of Life will be held in Walla Walla, WA on February 4^th at 3:00 p.m. at the L’Ecole No 41 Schoolhouse in nearby Lowden, WA.  Anyone is welcome to attend, especially her wine industry friends and colleagues. 

  As we say goodbye to Connie, let us remember her not with sadness, but with gratitude for the incredible gift of her presence in our lives.

  Rest in peace, dear Connie.