Maria Consuelo "Connie" Pontones, aged 93, passed away on June 29, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, she moved to the United States in 1960 following the political upheaval in her home country. Connie lived a life marked by resilience, dedication, and faith. Despite losing her father while in college, she collected his unpaid invoices for his custom carpentry to ensure she could finish her degree in Pharmacy from the University of Havana. This propelled her early career as the Auxiliary Technical Director of pharmaceutical research for an independent laboratory led by Dr. Garrido. Ever resourceful, she also studied English during this time to broaden her access to professional opportunities, particularly in case those opportunities might present themselves in the United States. She was a woman ahead of her time, continuing her professional accomplishments after immigrating, first for Warren-Teed Pharmaceuticals and then Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus. At Mount Carmel, she met her future brother-in-law, John, who introduced her to his older brother, Elias. Within a year, they married and went on to welcome three children. While this took her away from her professional achievements, motherhood introduced Connie to new opportunities. She was an active volunteer in her children's schools and for the Altar-Rosary Society at the Parish of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Columbus, where she was a lifelong member. She also dove into her favorite hobby of sewing, crafting many outfits for herself and her daughter. Unlike many in her generation, she kept up with the times, figuring out how to use a cell phone and computer at almost 80 years old. Her life was a testament to her values of hard work, resourcefulness, family and faith. Connie is survived by her husband of nearly 59 years, Elias Pontones, her children, George (Pamela), Maria Bonenfant (Ron Bazer), and Michael (Jean) and six grandchildren, Gabriel, Simeon, Ellie, and Daniel Pontones and Olivia and Luke Bonenfant. Connie also leaves behind her sister, Julia Ramos, brother-in-law, John Pontones; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Lydia and Roberto Acosta, her brother-in-law, Eugenio Ramos, her son-in-law, Paul Bonenfant, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 4-7 pm at Evans Funeral Home, 4171 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH.  Funeral Mass Saturday July 13, 2024, at 10 am St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 1573 Elaine Rd, Columbus, OH. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Salesian Missions at (https://salesianmissions.org/).