Poughkeepsie – Constance Dorland Herodes (1940-2017) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband and sons. She was grateful during her final days to be able to say an individual goodbye to all her grandchildren, sons, daughters-in-law and husband and to be able to share personal recollections of a life well lived.
Connie was born April 10, 1940, the daughter of Howard L. Dorland and Florence Sauer Dorland in Oceanside, Long Island. She graduated from SUNY Albany with a BS degree in Biology and taught High School Biology and Science before starting her family of three sons. She gave up her teaching career to focus completely on raising her family and was very proud to be a stay-at-home Mom. Family was always her priority and passion. After the children were in school she worked at the Vassar College Biology Department as a laboratory technician.
Connie is survived by her husband Richard at home, three sons and two daughters-in-law: Richard, Jr (Wanda), Howard(Julie) and David and her grandchildren Alden and Logan Herodes of Falmouth, Maine and Richard, Madeline and Peter Herodes of Manlius, NY. She is also survived by five nephews and nieces and their families.
During her over two year battle with cancer Connie received constant support from her extended family, Church Family and her many, many friends. The cards, prayers and well wishes were countless and deeply appreciated.
Connie felt privileged to have lived in Paris, France for 6 years and traveled to many different countries to experience their cultures and customs. Many lifelong friendships were formed during that special period of her life.
She had two special hobby passions – gardening and singing. She was a 30 year Master Gardener Emeritus with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Millbrook and volunteered at the Locust Grove gardens for many years. She also taught numerous gardening courses for the Marist College CLS program as well as Shade Gardening courses in the community. She most recently sang with her beloved Cappella Festiva Choir. She also sang with the Poughkeepsie Reformed Church Choir, American Church of Paris Choir, Berkshire Festival Choirs, Camerata Chorale at Carnegie Hall and a number of choral events in France. She felt privileged to have sung with some of the best choral conductors in the world.
She will be buried at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery overlooking the Hudson River, with a beautiful view of water, a rock outcrop and trees.
Family will receive their friends on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 2 to 6 p.m. at 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A memorial celebratory service will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at The Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie, 70 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie’s name to Capella Festiva, P.O. Box 2111, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or The Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie, 70 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
