Constance Tobriner Povich

Constance "Connie" Tobriner Povich, a fourth generation Washingtonian, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025 at her home in NorthWest Washington, DC. She was 89.
Born to Marienne Smith Tobriner and Walter N. Tobriner - the final President of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia and U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica - Connie was deeply rooted in the city she loved.
She attended Lafayette Elementary, Alice Deal Junior High, The Madeira School, and Bennett Junior College in Millbrook, NY, where she majored in dance. In her youth, she was a competitive figure skater with the Washington Figure Skating Club and a devoted student of The Washington School of Ballet, which she continued to support throughout her life.
For more than 20 years, Connie taught ice skating at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena, later serving as a judge in moves, free-style and dance for 26 years. She was also an avid tennis player and active member of Woodmont Country Club, where she served on several committees.
Connie was known for her generosity, warmth, and her meticulous calendar of birthdays and anniversaries, which prompted her unfailing phone calls to those she loved. These calls were often accompanied by iambic pentameter hand-written poems she wrote and recited to celebrate the occasion. She traveled widely with family and friends and cherished hosting the Jewish holidays in her home each year.
She was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and husband of 63 years, David Povich, a prominent attorney with Williams & Connolly for over 50 years, and the son of Ethyl and Shirley Povich, the Hall of Fame Sports Writer for The Washington Post.
She is survived by her four children, Douglas Povich (Robyn), Johanna McDonough (Tim), Judith Noglows (Paul), and Andrew Povich (Izzy); her 10 grandchildren, Sam, Alex (Kristen) William, Kate (Sam), Anna, Andrew (Sophia), Hannah, Molly, Grace, and Ben; her brother Toby Tobriner (Joanne); brother-in-law Maury Povich (Connie Chung); sister-in law Lynn Povich (Stephen Shepard), and her nieces and nephews.
A private burial will be held in Bath, Maine. Shiva will be observed at the family residence in Washington, DC, on November 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to US Figure Skating (usfigureskating.org), 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906-3624.