Constance Louise Butcher, also known as Connie Robinson, was the wife of Brooks Robinson, the legendary third baseman of the Baltimore Orioles and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. She used to work as a flight attendant.
Moreover, Louise even met her husband on one of her flights in 1959. They shortly started dating each other and married a year later in a private ceremony. They had four children and remained together until her death in 2023.
Biography
According to wikicelebs.com, Constance Butcher was born on June 28. She took birth in 1937 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were William and Dorothy Butcher. She was raised alongside two sisters, Barbara and Patricia.
She graduated from Walkerville Collegiate Institute in 1955. Constance Louise Butcher then became a flight attendant for United Airlines.
Marriage with Brooks Robinson
Butcher met Brooks Robinson on July 18, 1959, on a United Airlines flight from Kansas City to Boston. At that time, this former player was the third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. He just won a game against the Kansas City Athletics. Constance Louise Butcher was serving iced tea to the passengers.
Brooks was the one who made the first move and asked Constance for a date. He then told her a lie that he was the only single guy on the team and asked her out. Constance agreed to go on a date with him and they hit it off.
They fell in love and got engaged in December 1959. They got married on October 8, 1960, in Constance’s hometown of Windsor. They had a small wedding with about 50 guests at St. John’s Anglican Church. They then moved to Baltimore where Brooks played for the Orioles.
Family and Personal Life
Constance Louise Butcher and Brooks Robinson had four children: Brooks David (born in 1962), Christopher (born in 1964), Michael (born in 1966), and Diana (born in 1970). They raised their family in Baltimore and later moved to Timonium, Maryland.
Constance was a supportive and devoted wife who accompanied Brooks on many of his baseball trips. She also helped him with his charitable and community activities. She was involved with the Orioles Wives Club and the Brooks Robinson Foundation.
Constance enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was also an avid fan of the Orioles and attended many games at Camden Yards.
Quick Facts
| Name | Constance Louise Butcher |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | June 28, 1937 |
| Birth Place | Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Death Date | September 26, 2023 |
| Death Place | Timonium, Maryland |
| Spouse | Brooks Robinson (m. 1960-2023) |
| Children | Brooks David Robinson, Christopher Robinson, Michael Robinson, Diana Robinson |
| Occupation | Flight Attendant |
| Homepage | wikicelebs.com |
Death and Legacy
Constance Butcher died many years ago at her home in Timonium, Maryland. She was 86 years old. The cause of death was not disclosed. She was survived by her husband of 63 years, Brooks Robinson; her four children; her nine grandchildren; and her two sisters.
Constance Louise Butcher was remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She was also admired for her grace and dignity as the spouse of one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
Brooks Robinson expressed his grief and gratitude in a statement:
I am heartbroken by the loss of my beloved Connie. She was my best friend, my soulmate, my partner in everything. She supported me through all the highs and lows of my career and life.
She gave me four wonderful children who have given me nine beautiful grandchildren. She made our home a place of joy and peace. I don’t know how I will go on without her, but I know she will always be with me in spirit. I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me and my family with their condolences and prayers. We appreciate your love and support during this difficult time.
The Baltimore Orioles also issued a statement to honor Constance Louise: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Butcher Robinson, the wife of our beloved Brooks Robinson. Connie was an integral part of our Orioles family since 1955.
Constance Louise Butcher was a wonderful person who radiated warmth and grace to everyone she met. She was a loyal fan of our team and a generous contributor to our community. She will be greatly missed by all of us who knew her and loved her.”
Who was Brooks Robinson?
Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. was an American third baseman. He used to play in Major League Baseball and represented Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977. Unfortunately, he died on September 26, 2023, due to prostate cancer.
Nicknamed “the Human Vacuum Cleaner”, “Mr. Hoover”, and “Mr. Oriole”, he is generally considered to have been the greatest defensive third baseman in major league history. An 18-time All-Star, he won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, setting a record later tied by Jim Kaat and broken by Greg Maddux. His 2,870 career games at third base not only exceeded the closest player by nearly 700 games when he retired, but also remain the most games by any player in major league history at a single position. His 23 seasons spent with a single team set a major league record since matched only by Carl Yastrzemski.
Joining the Orioles less than two years after the franchise relocated from St. Louis, Robinson played a major role in rejuvenating what had been one of the weakest major league clubs. He became the centerpiece of the team as they posted the best record in the major leagues during the decade from 1965 to 1974, capturing four American League (AL) pennants and two World Series titles.
Awards & Achievements
He was named the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1964. In 1966 he finished second in the MVP voting behind teammate Frank Robinson after again posting 100 RBIs as the Orioles won the pennant, then swept the Los Angeles Dodgers for the team’s first Series title. In 1971 he became one of just 12 players to earn over $100,000 annually.
He still holds major league records for career putouts (2,697), assists (6,205), total chances (9,165), and double plays (618) at third base, with each total being between 13% and 20% higher than the closest player.
Robinson was widely respected and admired for his humble and gracious personality, as well as his sportsmanship and integrity. He was involved in various charitable and community causes, such as the Brooks Robinson Foundation, which supports children’s health and education programs. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to baseball and society, such as the Roberto Clemente Award in 1972, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984, and the Babe Ruth Award in 2005.
Quick Trivia
- Constance Butcher was born on the same day as former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
- She was a Canadian citizen who became a naturalized U.S. citizen after marrying Brooks Robinson.
- Constance Butcher was an avid reader who enjoyed books by authors such as John Grisham, James Patterson, and Danielle Steel.
- Constance Butcher loved gardening and had a beautiful flower garden at her home.
- Constance Louise Butcher was a great cook who liked to make dishes such as lasagna, chicken pot pie, and apple pie.
- She was very close to her sisters Barbara and Patricia, who often visited her and her family.
- She was a grandmother of nine grandchildren: Ryan, Connor, Brooks Jr., Casey, Kelly, Jake, Sam, Luke, and Emma.
- Constance Butcher was a loyal fan of the Orioles who attended many games at Camden Yards with her husband and family. She also watched every game on TV when she could not go to the stadium.
- Butcher was a generous person who donated to various charities and causes such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Salvation Army, and The American Cancer Society.
- Constance Louise was a devout Christian who attended church regularly and prayed for her family and friends.
