Constance (Connie) Ann Burrows was born December 29, 1942 to the late Zelotes and Dorothy Howard Toliver in Greenport. She attended Greenport schools, where she played the clarinet in band, and sang in chorus, carrying on the traditions of her musical family. She was known by her classmates to be “shy, sweet and reserved.” She graduated from Greenport High School in 1961.
After high school, she attended business trade school in Manhattan for accounting and after receiving her certificate she worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance. She worked at the Riverhead Savings Bank when she moved to Riverhead. While shopping for a gift in Riverhead at the local Carl and Bob’s, Constance met Martin, and the rest is history. Connie was married to Martin V. Burrows Sr. of Eleuthera, Bahamas on August 29, 1964. From this union came two children, Martin V. Burrows, Jr., and Carla Burrows.
Connie’s life was centered around her husband of 50 years and her children and family. She visited her children quite often and loved to play the lottery, shop and keep up with the news. Constance dealt with diabetes and complications from it most of her life. However, that never stopped her from living a full and productive life. The casual observer would never suspect that she was not well. Connie loved to go out to various events around town with Martin. She loved to travel and was a joy to have around. Her demeanor was firm, loving and to stay moving even when you are down. Her laugh was infectious and could be heard across the room.
She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Martin V. Burrows Sr.; son, Martin V. Burrows, Jr.,;a son, Martin V. Burrows, Jr., of Fiji and daughter, Carla Burrows of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Irving Toliver (Beatrice) of Huntington and Edmund ( Sabina) Toliver of Dortmund, Germany; one granddaughter, Femi Burrows of California; two aunts, Addie (Alvin) Pace of Peconic and Viola Howard of Texas; two uncles, George Toliver of Amityville and Conway Toliver of Providence, R.I., two brothers- in- law, John and James (Rhonda) Burrows of Nassau, Bahamas many sisters – in – law, Shirley Burrows, Marion (Derrick) Sands, Lilly Burrows, Cathy Burrows, Bessie Saunders, Joyce Colebrooke, Rosemary (Godfrey) Newry and Audrey Burrows, all of Nassau, Bahamas; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Always in touch with her extended family and friends, she will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation will take place at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home, from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach. Interment will follow at Riverhead Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
