LUTZ, FLORIDA – Deidre Kay Arp Connell, 78 of Lutz, Florida, passed away on Friday, September 20. She was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska in 1945 to Gene Ferdinand Arp and Beulah Mae Arp.
Deidre was a graduate of Torrington High School where she was a cheerleader and a tenor saxophone player in the band. She was selected to play in a national band with other musicians from high schools throughout the nation. While attending Goshen County Community College (now EWC), she was crowned Miss Wool of Wyoming, and competed in the Miss Wool of America pageant in 1965. She later attended the University of Wyoming and earned a degree in pharmacy. She was a lifelong pharmacist, working in Wyoming, Arizona and Florida. Following retirement, she moved back to Torrington to help care for her parents. Upon their passing, she returned to Florida to be close to her daughter Jennifer Howery Torres. Deidre was a devoted animal lover, and enjoyed crime dramas, in particular Blue Bloods.
She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Howery Torres (Alvaro), sister Dianne Riley (Derrell), brother Randy Arp (Pat), and brother Bryan Arp (Julie).
Deidre wished to be cremated, with her ashes released at sea. No public service is planned.
