Constance Pinyoun Gamble passed away on March 20, 2022. Connie had been living in Wooster, Ohio for the last three years, in the Brookdale community. She is survived by her children, Allison Kelley and Harry Gamble, their spouses, Edward Kelley and April Gamble, and four grandchildren, Fiona and May Kelley and Sophie and Henry Gamble. A loving sister to Susan Jordan, Roy (Rol) Pinyoun, Kathy Kelly, and Jeffrey Pinyoun, Connie is also survived by her longtime companion, George Martin of Charlottesville.
Born in Cleveland in 1940 to Constance and Roy Pinyoun, Connie grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Needham Broughton High School. She went on to attend Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina before completing a master s degree in education at the University of Virginia. A resident of Charlottesville for fifty years, Connie was a beloved second grade teacher who spent most of her career at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, in Ivy. Known for her generosity, optimism, and curiosity, Connie loved to travel. She filled her home with friends and family, music and laughter, and vibrant conversation. An avid walker and gardener, Connie relished being close to nature. Her own nature brought out the best and the beautiful in all those she touched.
The family is planning to organize a celebration of Connie s life, to be held this summer in Charlottesville. In the meantime, in lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones are invited to make offerings to causes or charities that remind them of Connie s love and light.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones are invited to make offerings to causes or charities that remind them of Connie s love and light.
Service
The family is planning to organize a celebration of Connie s life, to be held this summer in Charlottesville.
Visitation
Connie was my son’s second grade teacher. She was one of the kindest and most creative teachers he had in elementary school. Connie’s spirit lives on in the students she taught. My condolences to family.
I taught with Connie at Meriwether. She was a lovely, vibrant lady. Her classroom was warm and creative, just like her! She will be missed. My condolences to her family and friends!
My daughter was lucky enough to have Ms. Gamble as her 2nd grade teacher. Ms. G. was able to understand the intricacies of individual students and she was committed to establishing close bonds with each student. To her children, please know that your mom was one of those teachers whom kids enjoyed! What a tribute!
i loved my sister in so many ways. i looked up to her and admired her .i wanted to be just like her .she was so friendly
caring , beautiful ,smart and a great sister ,mother ,daughter and wife. life will be a little less full without her in
it . i will miss her so so much but my love for her will be forever .
Connie was our next door neighbor on Kimbrough Circle. She was always full of smiles and was a beautiful lady. In recent years, I had begun some correspondence with her through holiday cards, she always responded in kind. I will miss her! Thinking of Harry and Alison and your families at this time, Love to you all, Kira and Conrad
My sincere condolences to all family and friends that I have not been able to reach individually. Connie and I spent many happy times together which will never be forgotten.
To Connie’s Family…the joy you all brought to her goes beyond any words I can express. Connie was my friend and fellow teacher. Her creativity was boundless and her love and dedication to the children was immeasurable. I rented a space in Connie’s beautiful home for a year and got to see first hand all of the many projects she was working on for her students. The plays she wrote and directed were treasures for all. My heart is breaking at the loss of my friend. There could be no better friend a person could have…inspiring, fun, and so darn smart. She was part of a group of us…Susanne, Elaine and Joan…and of course still is. Much love to Connie’s family and friends.
Ms. Gamble taught me at Meriwether Lewis many many years ago. She was a wonderful teacher who touched generations of Albemarle County students. I also enjoyed seeing her as I grew up at Greencroft. My thoughts go to her family and friends.
I feel so fortunate to have known Connie, first as our daughter’s second grade teacher and later as a patient. She was such a creative, loving and patient teacher whom I learned from while volunteering in her classroom. And later as a patient, she taught me again…how one can face a progressive disease with grace and humility. She truly brought love, light and laughter to every room she entered. Much love to Connie’s family and friends.
Dear Allison and Harry,
Monroe and I were so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We first met Connie over forty years ago and I still remember the many summer hours we spent sunning ourselves at Greencroft while you and the other ‘kids’ played endless games of Marco Polo. Your mom always wore a smile as she looked for and found joy in life. Her students profited from her teaching as well as from spending their days in her happy classroom. As the years passed and your mother’s health declined, she continued to greet life with her signature smile and a sunny outlook. She never let her illness define her and she bore its indignities with poise and grace. I’m sure you and your family know how lucky you all are to have had her as a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. You will feel your mother’s loss for a long time but Monroe and I sincerely hope that your many fond and loving memories of her will give you peace and comfort.
With sympathy,
Terry & Monroe Petty
Sending all my love to you and your families, Allison and Harry. I have such fond memories of your mom. Take care. XO
Connie was so gracious, warm and I love the twinkle in her eye when she smiled. I feel so grateful to have worked with her, she taught me so much about being patient, creative and loving.
I am so sorry for your loss of this strong and thoughtful, generous woman.
Connie was a dear friend and colleague. She and I taught second grade together for many years at Meriwether Lewis. Both of my children were privileged to have her as their teacher. She was creative and kind. I never heard Connie raise her voice. She would simply close her eyes and smile and children would become quiet. Through the years we had many experiences…. most that were happy, while some were more challenging. I will miss her, butI I know that Heaven has a new and blessed angel.
Ms. Gamble taught me in 2nd grade at Meriwether Lewis, I remember her and loved her as a teacher. Such a kind and loving teacher. Praying for her family and friends.
Connie was a wonderful presence in our family’s life for decades. In 1990, our daughter was placed in Connie’s second-grade class in the new Meriwether Lewis School. Hannah had such a delightful and encouraging year under Connie’s skillful teaching, I (successfully!) lobbied for both her younger brothers to be in her class. Her firm, but kind teaching manner and spot-on assessment of our children’s strengths and needs were so appreciated. And of course, the kids all remember the signature year-end class plays that she staged with her students. When our third and last child graduated from second grade, Connie wrote in his report card, ‘What an honor and privilege to have taught all your wonderful children’. I hope she knew the mutual honor and privilege we felt.
Years later after Meriwether, we all enjoyed getting to catch up with Connie at Greencroft Club where she would swim her laps in the pool in the late afternoon. Then to my total delight several years ago, I joined the book club that Connie helped found. At that point, she had left to live with family out of town, but was always happy to see her join via iPad, and to thank her for her teaching.
It is with heavy regret that we will be out of town for the memorial service in Charlottesville this Saturday, but I will be thinking warmly of her beautiful and warm smile, her elegance, and her caring. I hope Connie knew the impact she had on our family and many others. I will miss future serendipitous encounters with her.
With love to her family, Nancy Takahashi, David Oakland, Hannah, Milo, and Noah Oakland