Connie Ruth (Kelsey) Horne

Connie Ruth (Kelsey) Horne, 80, of Lancaster, VA passed peacefully from this world on Monday, August 18, 2025, in her home surrounded by her closest family. Born December 15, 1944, at her family’s farmhouse near Maywood, NE, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Nancy (Votow) Glaze.

Connie was born & raised in central Nebraska. Her journey through life took her to Arkansas, Idaho, Washington, and Pennsylvania where she met and married Ralph Horne, before retiring to the “Last Resort” in Virginia. Everywhere she lived, she made lifelong friends that she kept in touch with until the day she died. What she lacked in family she more than made up for in friends.

Connie loved nature, animals and just being outdoors. She was an avid runner, cyclist, tennis player, skier, swimmer, kayaker, and reluctant sailor. In her later years she found great joy with her music group “The Dial Tones” playing piano and guitar, eating popcorn and drinking wine. She also found peace “working on the path”; a trailblazing vision she had for a leisurely walking path winding through the woods around St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church. There she could be close to God, Ralph, nature and ultimately her final resting place. But her biggest joy came from time spent with her family or better yet, a gathering with family and friends. Connie knew how to host a party.

Connie is survived by her son, Troy (Kathy) Kelsey of Lancaster, VA; grandson, Dane (Amanda) Kelsey of Perkasie, PA; great-granddaughters, Brielle and Kyla Kelsey; sister, Nancy Handler of Pawley’s Island, SC; nieces, Natalie and Mary, nephew, Jamie, and her grand dog, Duke (who is really going to miss his peanut butter pretzels). Connie was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Horne, sister Patricia Birt, and brothers-in-law Sydney Handler and James Birt.

Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Labyrinth of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the soon-to-be dedicated Connie Horne Memorial Path, in care of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church, 5940 White Chapel Road, Lancaster, VA 22503.