BERKELEY, Calif. - Connie Amador, age 54, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008, after a valiant battle with breast cancer. Connie was born in Monroe, Wisconsin on April 13, 1954, and was a graduate of Monroe High School. Connie was a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Connie put herself through school working as a waitress at some of Madison's favorite restaurants. After a variety of jobs in the Madison area, Connie set her sights on San Francisco, California and had a successful career at several advertising agencies in the Bay area. Her career concluded in the marketing department of California Blue Cross. Connie was a free spirit who loved the Bay area, especially Berkeley, where she had a beautiful home, decorated in her own unique style. Connie loved travel, music, cats, books and art, but most of all loved her daughter, Hope, who she considered her finest accomplishment. While Connie called the San Francisco area home, she never forgot her Swiss heritage, and Wisconsin values.

Connie is survived by her daughter, Hope, former husband Guillermo Amador, Emeryville, California; parents, Paul and Alice Benkert, of Monroe; brother, Doug (Cathi), Bloomington Illinois, brother Scott, Waukesha; sister, Kathy (Paul) Holley, Racine; niece, Allison Holley and nephew, Dwight Holley, both of Racine.

Connie also leaves behind a large extended family, and a network of terrific friends in Berkeley, that looked out for her during her battle with breast cancer.

The battle against breast cancer is not won, but our Warrior Princess is gone, and we will miss her greatly.

There will be a celebration of Connie's life at a memorial service, in Berkeley in the near future.