Constance Heather Poland, 83, of Gloucester Point, known to many as "Miss Connie," went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, while residing at Riverside Convalescent Center Mathews, Va.

Connie was born on Sept. 1, 1928 in Franklin, Pa., to the late John W. and Josephine E. Heather. After being raised in Washington, D.C., and graduating from Longwood College, she moved to Gloucester Point, marrying the late Norman H. Poland in 1950.

After working at Fort Eustis, Connie began her teaching career with a private kindergarten class in her home in 1960. After nearly 30 years of teaching privately and publicly, she retired in 1988 from Abingdon Elementary School. "Miss Connie" loved teaching children and they in turn loved and admired her.

Connie filled her retirement years with travel to the Southwestern States, and countless hours of volunteer work at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Watermen’s Museum and the Virginia Living Museum. Being a post-polio survivor, she lived outside of her physical limitations as much as possible. Connie was an inspiration to many that knew her.

She is survived by son, Gary N. Poland and wife Judith; daughter, Cherie Jean Poland; grandchildren, April Poland, John Ligon, Nicholas Ligon, Heather Poland, Sarah Seitz, Amanda Seitz, and MacKenzie LeRoy.

Funeral services officiated by the Rev. Arthur L. Wolz Jr. were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 at Bethany United Methodist Church. Interment will be held Saturday, Nov. 26 in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Pa. The family received friends Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.

The family would like to recognize with heartfelt thanks and appreciation Dr. Henry Rowe and the entire staff at Riverside Convalescent Center-Mathews for the wonderful care and kindness given to our mother.

In memory of Connie, contributions may be given to Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, Va. 23601 or the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061.