Constance "Connie" Ward Herr was born on October 30, 1938 in Bronxville, New York to Wendell and Alice Ward, and that's when the adventure began for this fearless, wildly entertaining, faithful, passionate woman.

Connie was an extraordinary storyteller and it seemed only fitting to remember her through her stories. She left Marion, Ohio by train to attend Mills College in Oakland, California. Her mother heard there was a popular book out, and she gave Connie a copy to read during her solo train ride. Mother and daughter were reading at the same time. Upon Connie's arrival in California, Alice frantically called and told her under no circumstances should she read the book. Connie had already devoured it on the ride. (The book was Peyton Place.)

While at Mills, Connie went on a blind date with a doctor from a Coast Guard ship her roommate's father was captaining. Connie and Dr. Dave Herr were married in 1961, after his year-long tour in the South Pole. Their courtship and engagement is well documented through their correspondence and there was even some concern Dave wouldn't actually arrive home in time for the wedding.

Connie and Dave moved to Oklahoma City for Dave's general surgery training. This was quite a departure from the cosmopolitan life she had been living, and there are even reports that Connie's mother thought she was moving to Okinawa, not Oklahoma. David, Jr. "Chip" was born in 1962 and then Sarah "Sally" followed in 1964.

The Herr family moved to Houston, Texas for Dave's plastic surgery training. Most of the Houston stories revolved around cooking failures. There was one time Connie and Dave were entertaining for the holidays, and Connie cooked the turkey with the giblets bag still inside. Probably, or possibly unrelated, their stay in Houston was short-lived. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas where Dave set up his plastic surgery practice, and they raised their family.

Through a series of God-inspired events, Connie began teaching middle school math at All Saints Episcopal Day School and later Fort Worth Country Day School. Without hesitation, Connie would say those were the 17 best years of her life. She made so many lifelong friends, and she loved the mischievous students she taught, several of whom continued to keep in touch with her decades later. Once, she and another teacher were asked to leave the sex education lesson because their laughter was disruptive to the students. Despite her later move across the country, she often corresponded and traveled with dear teacher friends.

In 1991, Chip, a Marine helicopter pilot, was killed in Desert Storm. Shortly after, Connie wrote a letter to General Carl Mundy, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, to express her pride in her son and his love for the Marines. General Mundy was so moved by her letter he responded and asked Connie to be his honored guest at the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Washington, DC. During the event, the Marines broke with tradition to honor Connie and her son.

In 1994, Connie and Dave left Texas and moved to Vero Beach, Florida where her parents and an aunt and uncle lived. That was the beginning of almost 30 years of service to her community and church. Connie never turned down an "ask" from First Presbyterian Church, including seven years as Presbyterian Women's treasurer, Moderator of Central Florida Presbyterian Women, Commissioner at the General Assembly representing Central Florida Presbytery, and four years as Commissioner of the Synod for Central Florida Presbytery. In addition, every Sunday morning, you could find Connie on the front row of the sopranos in the church choir. Connie had several lifelong passions. Her love of music brought her so much joy, and she sang with choirs most of her adult life - beginning with the Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary Oratorio Chorus in Fort Worth and ending with the ACTS Choristers at Indian River Estates. If there was live music, Connie was in attendance either performing or listening.

She had a passion for cruising around the world, oftentimes alone. She had no difficulty making friends on board through her storytelling or bridge playing. One of her greatest adventures was a few years ago when she was able to cruise to Antarctica during which she traveled the same waters Dave sailed during their engagement. Anyone who knew Connie knew she also had a passion for sports, particularly her beloved Ohio State and TCU. Even her grandchildren knew not to call Nana during a game - she wouldn't answer the phone. Lastly, Connie was passionate about her family. She dearly loved her brother, Wendy and cherished every moment shared with him. It was best just to sit back and watch as the two of them recalled childhood stories and adult adventures. Connie was also immensely proud of her daughter, Sally, and her family. Connie was often seen walking the halls of the retirement home on the arm of her 6'4" son-in-law, Russ. The height difference was comical, but the pride was palpable. Anyone who came within 20 feet of Connie was subjected to stories of her "perfect grandchildren," Emily and David. They were always amused by their Nana and even sometimes horrified by her crazy stories. If you didn't know her, this may seem like an unnecessarily-long tribute.

If you knew Connie, you know this doesn't even scratch the surface of the impact she had on all those she encountered. Honor her by sharing her stories or even your own with all those who will listen. She loved you all! Connie passed away on November 7, 2022 after a brief illness. She is preceded in death by her husband David Rohrer Herr and son Captain David Rohrer Herr, Jr., USMC.

She is survived by her daughter Sarah and son-in-law R. Russell Hollenbeck, and grandchildren Emily Marie and David Russell, all of Cypress, TX and her brother Wendell Barker Ward, Jr. of Naples, FL. There will be a memorial service on November 15, 2022 at 10 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice or one of Connie's favorites listed below. Capt. David R. Herr, Jr. Endowed Scholarship, Ft. Worth Country Day School, 4200 Country Day Ln, Ft. Worth, TX 76109; www.fwcd.org First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960; www.firstpresvero.org Mike Block String Camp; www.mikeblockstringcamp.com Thornwell, 302 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325; www.thornwell.org