Constance "Connie" Payne Whittaker

The fact that Connie did not leave a self-written eulogy says volumes about this woman. She was born to Harold M. Payne and Cora I. Smith Payne on March 2, 1942 and this was a date that Connie could remember up until close to the end of her life. Another thing she remembered quite well was that she grew up in Irvington-on-the Hudson and was sure she should be going back there any day!! As a high school senior her parents enrolled her in Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL. From Wheaton Academy, Connie matriculated to Wheaton College where she entered the nursing program affiliated with West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, IL. One of her instructors, a mutual friend, Dr. Sharon Bolin, who still resides on St Simons Island, sent the picture of her graduating class of 1964. Dr. Bolin said: "She was a lovely girl and the photo is exactly the way I remember her". When Connie graduated with her Bachelor of Science from Wheaton College in 1965, her home town was Land OLakes, FL. Connie continued her education at the University of Miami receiving a Family Nurse Practitioner degree on June 28, 1980; and five years later her Masters of Public Health from USF. Now as a Hurricane and a Bull there is no wonder Florida hired her as the Public Health Officer for Pasco County. At this time she met Wolden B. Whittaker, our beloved Bruce, and on November 26, 1990 "according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto she pledged him her faith." She also volunteered at Camp Horizon. After retirement, in 2003, they moved to 781 Hilltop Drive in Park of the Palms. Connie volunteered faithfully utilizing her many medical skills on behalf of the residents of the Park. Bruce and Connie moved to the Willey Manor in 2016 and a month later Bruce went to be with the Lord. She joined him and saw her Lord on November 1, 2019.Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. Walker Dr., Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352)473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery Keystone Heights Cemetery State Road 100 West Keystone Heights FL 32656 US A Celebration of Life Thursday, November 7, 2019 10:30 AM - Park of The Palms Church 706 Palms Circle Keystone Heights FL 32656 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176