Ann C. Poch, age 95, died Tuesday, January 26, 2010, in West Hartford. Born in Plattsburg, NY on January 14, 1915, she was the daughter of Samuel and Bessie (Hoff) Caplan. She moved to the Hartford area when she was a little girl and became a lifelong resident of the greater Hartford community. Ann graduated from New Britain State Teacher’s College, now Central Connecticut State University, with a degree in education and later in life she obtained two advanced Masters degrees in Educational and Remedial Reading Development from the University of Hartford. For 40 years she taught primary, elementary and remedial reading to the children of Hartford. She was recognized as a very demanding but fair educator who sought to develop the maximum potential of each of her pupils and not just let them get by. It is nearly impossible to spend time in the community and not meet someone who doesn’t have fond memories of having had Mrs. Poch in the classroom. Ann was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Maurice Poch. She and Murray were devoted to each other and raised two sons. Ann and Maurice were dedicated parents to their two sons sharing in all of their activities and accomplishments. Ann was in regular, loving contact with all four of her grandchildren, and took enormous pride in their progress. They will miss her deeply. She most recently smiled at the photos of two new great granddaughters. In later years, Ann was remarried to William Lapp and they enjoyed seven happy years together before Bill passed away. Cooking and baking, prodigious letter writing, the canasta and bridge club meetings,were all a part of her life. She was a lifelong member of the Emanuel Synagogue, having served with Maurice as co-presidents of the Young Married Couples Club, and as a member of the synagogue Board of Education. She was a regular attendee of services and loved keeping a ?Jewish household?. Ann was also a lifetime member of Hadassah.
Ann is survived by her two sons: Gerald A. Poch and his wife Kathryn of Stamford, and Dr. Arthur L. Poch and his wife Marcy of Shreveport, LA; four grandchildren: Benjamin Poch of Shreveport, LA, Dr. David Poch of San Francisco, CA, Dr. Michael Poch of Providence, RI, and Samantha Lee, of Aurora, CA; and two great-granddaughters: Olivia and Maia.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 12:00 Noon in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi David J. Small officiating. Interment will follow in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, Wethersfield. A period of mourning will be observed at the home of her son Gerald, 152 Canfield Dr., Stamford on Saturday, January 30th beginning at 4:00 PM. Contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., West Hartford 06117, or to Hadassah – Hartford Chapter, c/o Faith Helene, 43 Carlyle Rd., West Hartford 06117. For further information, directions, or to sign the guestbook for Ann, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.
