Cumberland, MD - Connie Jean (Daugherty) Groer, 68, of Cumberland, passed away on Aug. 22, 2025, at UPMC Western Maryland Hospital.

Born Jan. 8, 1957, in Annapolis, Md., she was the daughter of Doris Irene (Bolles) Daugherty Long and the late Donald Duncan Daugherty. In addition to her father, Connie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 36 years, John Leslie Groer; brothers, Richard Lee and David Allan Daugherty and wife, Kathy (Connie's best friend); stepfather, Alvin Long; nephew, Richard Lee Daugherty II; grandparents, Vincent and Fern I (Bolles) Machis and Edgar and Gertude Daugherty; uncles, Scott L. Bolles and wife Bess, Jim Daugherty and wife Lee, Issac Bobby Daugherty, and Kenny Daugherty; and her aunt, Reva Norwig.

Connie grew up in Jessup, Md., Anne Arundel County. At the age of 3, Connie was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She was the ninth child diagnosed with RA in the United States. She was unable to walk, but with therapy and a study being done with use of casts by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Connie was walking in time to attend Jessup Elementary at age 6.

From ages 3 to 6, she was able to use her time wisely. She learned her alphabet by watching "Howdy Doody" on TV and learned to read before starting school. She excelled throughout her school years and graduated fourth in her class.

Connie attended Arundel High School, Gambrills, Md., and graduated fourth in her class. She applied to Frostburg State University and was accepted. She also passed the test to be a CPA. A year after graduating Frostburg, she worked for a CPA firm in the Annapolis, Md., area. An opening for an accounting teacher at Frostburg State became available, and she applied and was accepted. Note: RA patients feel better in the COLD! Frostburg was ideal for her.

A few years later, the dean of the business/accounting department became ill and Connie was appointed to fill the position until they hired a permanent replacement. She was very involved in helping Frostburg to become a university. After three years of being assistant dean, she told administration she wanted to teach — that was what she was hired for and was what she wanted to do. They hired someone, and she started teaching again. How rewarding to see what students know when classes start and what they know at the end of a semester! And to know "I helped them accomplish that!"

Connie is survived by her dear mother, Doris Long; brother, Mark Donald Daugherty; goddaughter, Ashley; nieces and nephews, Richard Coasi (Amy), Tammy Werneke (Keith), Jenny Kaukonen (and the late Erik), Lucas Daugherty (Amanda), Mark Halcombe, Brandon Daugherty and Rebecca Lloyd (Thomas), Eleeza and Emmelia Groer; cousin, Robin Anikas (Vince); brother-in-law, Jimmy Groer (Shandy); and sister-in-law, Marilyn Richter.

In accordance with her wishes, Connie will be cremated.

Friends will be received at the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, 199 Old Engle Mill Road, Accident, MD 21520, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. A graveside service will immediately follow at 2 p.m.

Inurnment will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Easterseals, 141 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1400A, Chicago, IL 60604, and/or March of Dimes, 1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 1300, Arlington, VA 22202, in honor of Connie's memory.

Condolences may be made at www.scarpellifh.com.