Constance Vauclain Hamilton Wallace
Constance Vauclain Hamilton Wallace, of Boca Grande, Florida, affectionately known as Connie, died peacefully August 13, 2026. She was 98. Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Connie was the daughter of Constance Vauclain and William Hamilton. She attended The Shipley School and was a member of the Foxcroft School Class of 1946.
Connie was known for her sharp wit, her love of laughter, and her boundless hospitality. Tenacious, forthright, and entirely herself, she lived by the maxim, “Don’t ask the question if you don’t want to know the answer.” No one ever had to wonder where Connie stood. Bossy, brassy, and always busy, she was a dame before her time – unafraid to take charge, speak her mind, and stand up for the people and causes she loved.
Connie survived her two husbands, Godfrey A. Rockefeller, Sr. and Hugh C. Wallace. She raised her five children – as well as any stragglers who happened along – with fierce devotion, abundant humor, and an open heart. There was always room at her table where family, friends, and unexpected guests gathered to hear her stories and enjoy such memorable “delicacies” as spaghetti pie.
Above all, Connie loved her family. She was fiercely devoted to her five children and adored her 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. As the beloved matriarch of a large and lively family, she created a home in which everyone was welcomed, fed, entertained, and loved.
Connie also gave generously of her time, energy, and considerable determination. She was a dedicated volunteer for political campaigns such as Haskell 1956, Bush 1988, and Obama 2008, social welfare initiatives, and equestrian competitions. Connie had a deep, innate love of horses and horse sport which she passed to many family members. She was especially proud of her work as Chairman of Dressage at Devon, the renowned horse show benefiting Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her lifelong love of animals, and they of her, was matched by her commitment to helping others and supporting the causes in which she believed.
Connie is survived by her children: Judith Rockefeller de la Gueronniere; Andy Rockefeller and his wife, Regina; Hugh Wallace, Jr.; Sissy Wallace Wickes and her husband, Timothy; and Polly Wallace Bance and her husband, Teddy. Her grandchildren – Anne, Helen, and Grace de la Gueronniere; Tory Rockefeller and Lisa Rockefeller; Lucy Wallace Brewster and Hammy Wallace; Patrick and Hugh Manahan, Baylor and Sam Wickes; and Molly Bance Shepherd, Tosh Bance, and Hayley Bance Pons – were especially dear to Connie. Each shared a relationship with her that was uniquely their own. Connie’s 13 great grandchildren will inherit the love of family lore that she crafted so beautifully. She is also survived by her cherished niece, Margaret Hamilton Duprey, and her husband, Bob.
The Wallace family first visited Boca Grande in the early 1960s with their lifelong friends, the Haskell and Sharp families. Captivated by the island’s close-knit community, natural beauty, and enduring Old Florida character, Connie and Hugh purchased the big white house on Gilchrist Avenue in 1962, just across the street from the Haskells. It became Connie’s beloved home for more than six decades, and she lived there until shortly before her death. Her devotion to Boca Grande extended far beyond her own front door: she cared deeply about preserving the island’s history, traditions, and distinctive way of life. Over the years, she became an enduring part of the community through her many decades of involvement with St. Andrew’s Church, her beloved men’s bridge group, and the countless friendships she nurtured across the island.
Her family continues her legacy as devoted Boca Grande homeowners, island lovers, and stewards of the history and traditions she cherished; fittingly, three of her grandchildren have celebrated their weddings on the island.
Connie’s family and friends will deeply miss her laughter, her stories, her generous table, her candor, and the unmistakable vitality she brought to every gathering. They will carry forward her legacy of fierce love for family, service to others, devotion to animals, the conviction that there is always room for one more – and that the truth or a more humorous version is always worth telling.
Donations in Connie’s honor may be made to St. Andrew’s Church, Boca Grande, Fl. StAndrewsBocaGrande.org
