Connie Joyce Held died in her Malibu home, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on May 8. She was an internationally recognized Sportswear Buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue, a renowned psychotherapist, a wife and a friend.
“Her love for people, especially those in need, and the joy and hope she brought to others will be sadly missed,” a loved one said. She is survived by her brother, Burt Kuhlmann, and her husband, award-winning educator Steve Held, who Connie was married to for 30 years.
Connie was born Jan. 16, 1942, in Van Nuys, Calif., and graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1959. While in her junior year, her high school counselor, Mr. McClellan, convinced Connie’s mother to enroll her in a new merchandising and retailing curriculum, whereupon she went from receiving grades of D’s and C’s, to straight A’s. After graduation, she studied at the Tobe Coburn School of Retailing in Manhattan. She quickly landed a retailing position with May Company, where she was named Executive for a Day.
At the age of 22, she was hired to be the Department Manager of Dresses at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. She excelled in this role and was quickly promoted to be the corporate Sportswear Buyer in New York City, where for seven years, she traveled the world, purchasing product for the entire Saks Fifth Avenue family of stores.
After that, she earned her master’s in psychotherapy from the University of Vermont, received her Marriage Family Child Counselor certification and worked for 20 years in a private practice, helping couples, adults and young people deal with the challenges of life.
“She was an extraordinarily gifted therapist, helping hundreds,” family members said.
She married her husband, Steve, in 1987, and they embarked on a series of travels through several continents, including what they called “spectacular destinations and thrilling adventures.”
“Her beautiful face and courageous spirit will be missed by all who knew her,” a loved one said.