Connie Verdugo

Connie “Tootsie” Jean Verdugo, 76, passed away peacefully in her home on September 13, 2025, surrounded by her family until her last breath—just as she wished.

Tootsie was born on August 7, 1949, in Upland, California, and raised in Dos Cabezas and Willcox, Arizona. She graduated from Willcox High School, and at just 19 years old, she married Gilbert “Porky” Verdugo on January 31, 1969. Together they shared 57 years of marriage built on devotion to one another and their family. In 1980, they moved to Las Vegas to provide more opportunities and a better life for their children.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert, and daughters, Lisa Verdugo (partner Edgar Leon) and Joanne Valenzuela, and Son-In-Law Frankie Valenzuela. She is reunited in eternal peace with her sons, James “Bo” Verdugo and Gilbert “Duke” Verdugo, and will be laid to rest beside them.

Her love and legacy live on through her grandchildren—Angela Burciaga (partner Tanner Yazzie), Antonio Verdugo (partner Nicole), Frankie Valenzuela (wife Melissa), Skyler Verdugo and LeleAnna Valenzuela. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Jamie, Tony, Gracie, Catalaya, Abby and Danilo who brought her endless joy.

She is also survived by her brothers, Anthony and Charlie Esquivel, and was preceded in death by her parents, Stella and Claudio Esquivel, along with her grandparents, Eleticia (Mom) and Antonio (Dad) Perez. In addition, Tootsie’s love reached far and wide to dozens of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins, all of whom she cherished deeply.

Tootsie’s greatest gift was the love she poured into her family. That love will never fade, it will live on in every holiday, every gathering, every nascar parade and every memory, reminding us always of the warmth she left in our hearts.