Obituary of Lillian Groff Connine

Lillian G. Connine, 95, of Saint Petersburg, FL, and formerly of Sun City Center, FL and Norwich, NY, passed away in peace and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 14, 2021, with her daughters by her side.

Born on January 26, 1926, in Mount Kisco, NY, Lillian was the daughter or Charles and Johanna (Illar) Groff. She graduated with the Norwich High School Class of 1943. On June 14, 1952, Lillian married Robert E. “Bob” Connine, who died on October 16, 2017. In Norwich, she was a private and confidential secretary to W.A. Seeley, President, and William Kingman, Treasurer, of the Chenango and Unadilla Telephone Corporation. Lillian was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Norwich Chapter #367.

In 1970, her husband was offered a position with GTE Corp. of Brandon, Florida (now Verizon), where the family relocated. In Florida, Lillian attended several insurance schools and seminars and was an insurance salesperson and underwriter for Brandon Insurance Agency, Inc. In 1987, she retired from Poe & Associates, Inc., of Tampa, FL. Lillian was a member of the East Hillsborough Insurance Women’s Association.

Lillian and Bob retired in Sun City Center, FL, in 1993. She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. There she was an Elder and held several offices at St. Andrew’s, Sun City Center United Methodist and other churches over the years. For three years, she and her husband were on the committee for the Good Samaritan Charity Ball, one of Sun City Center’s main annual events. She and Bob also served on the Sun City Center security patrol for ten years. Lillian and Bob also travelled extensively in the U.S., Europe, and Israel, and enjoyed Hawaiian cruises. They also enjoyed spending time at their summer residence in Alexandria Bay, NY. 

Lillian is survived by her children whom she adored, Callie (James) Henicke, of Clifton, TX, Barbra Anderson, M.A., of St. Petersburg, FL, and Tad R. Connine, M.D., P.A., of Florida. Also surviving are six adoring grandchildren, Tanner Jenkins, of Lithia, FL, Tara (Nathan) Cole, of Valrico, FL, Hanna Jo (Chris) Smolik, of North Richland Hills, TX, Reese (Emily) Anderson, of Keller, TX, Tyler (Sirisha M.D.) Connine M.D., of Buffalo, NY, and Sydney Connine, of Lithia, FL. Two-great-grandchildren, Brody and Parker Cole, also survive. Also surviving are her nephews, James (Helen) Groff, of Franklin, NY, Steven (Karla) Groff, of Garden Valley, ID, and niece Sonja (Gerald) Puffer, of Franklin, NY; and several nieces and nephews.  

A celebration of life service is planned for 10:00 am Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 in the chapel at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 West Platt Street, Tampa FL 33606. A graveside service will also take place in the Spring in Norwich, NY, where she will be laid to rest next to Bob Connine, her husband of 65 years.

Contributions in Lillian’s memory may be made to Hyde Park United Methodist Church missions programs, Tampa Florida. https://hydeparkumc.org/give/