Connie Palacioz, built B-29s

[DavidIsby]

from Twitter:
WWII Memorial Friends
@WWIIMemorial

We are saddened to hear of the passing of World War II-era "Rosie the Riveter" Connie Palacioz, of Wichita, Kansas, on April 19, 2026. She was 101.

At just 17, Connie went to work for The Boeing Company in Wichita, serving as a riveter on the B-29 production line from 1943–1945.

Every riveter needed a bucker—the person inside the plane securing each rivet—and Connie found hers in Jerri Warden. While others refused to work with Warden because she was Black, Connie, who was Hispanic, didn’t hesitate. The two became an exceptional team, turning out four B-29 nose sections a day.

Connie joined the volunteer team in 2000, when B-29 DOC returned to Wichita for restoration, driven by a commitment to help bring the aircraft back to flight. Over the next 26 years, she became an active and essential member of the B-29 DOC team, serving as a passionate advocate for its mission. Through her work, she shared not only her own experiences but also the stories of fellow Rosie the Riveters. Her dedication centered on honoring the legacy of the men and women who designed, built, flew, and maintained the B-29 during World War II.

A public celebration of life memorial service and open house will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, The event will take place at the B-29 DOC Hangar, Education and Visitors Center in Wichita.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. and the service will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a public reception and viewing until 5 p.m.