pCharles Remington Wardwell, age 98, died on March 15th, at his home in Sackets Harbor. He was born September 24, 1917 at home on Clinton Street in Watertown, the fourth son of Eunice Denison Remington and Samuel Bagg Wardwell. His forebears came to New England from Scotland and England in the early 1630’s. They were early settlers of this region where they prospered in paper manufacturing, banking, and law. /ppCharlie grew up in Watertown and at Shore Farm, Sackets Harbor. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1935. At Syracuse University, he was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and rowed on the varsity crew. He was drafted and sworn into the Army as a private in February, 1941./ppIn April, 1942, he finished OCS as a 2nd Lt., was made a platoon leader and received orders to report to the Army Air Corps for pilot training. He graduated with pilot’s wings in February, 1943. By August, he was in command of a crew of nine men and a new B-17 bomber dubbed “Rangey Lil” at Grand Island, Nebraska and sent to Tunis, North Africa for a combat assignment. After stops in Newfoundland, Ireland, England, Marrakesh, and Casablanca they landed in Tunis, awed by the surrounding wreckage of German Aircraft. /ppCombat missions started immediately from Oadnal, on a dirt runway covered by perforated metal plates. Within a week, his crew, flying with another pilot, flew into a French mountain while on fire. His B-17, Rangey Lil, was transferred to another bomb group and went down in the Mediterranean leaving Charlie the only survivor of the original crew. /ppMissions were flown against German rail yards, submarine bases, and other works mainly in France, Italy, and the Balkans. Intense missions included heavy flak and dozens of fighters attacking with guns and cannon. On his 25th mission in October, 1943, Charlie’s plane was hit by rocket fire, machine guns, and cannon. Control cables were cut and the plane was unflyable due to an extreme nose up attitude causing stalls and dives. Charlie lashed his control column to a horizontal bar holding the rudder with a length of severed cable. Using a 50 caliber shell as a lever, he twisted the lashings to a tension that held the column forward allowing level flight. The plane had fallen 23, 000 feet and recovered 250 feet above the sea west of Italy, avoiding a fatal crash. Back over the field in North Africa, he ordered the crew to bail out and was able to land the plane. 182 holes were patched and the plane was repaired but failed to return from its next mission. Charlie’s last (50th) mission targeted Sofia, Bulgaria with its German HQ. The estimated 60 fighters were aggressive but held in check by US escorts. Charlie’s #3 engine was shot out and the plane behind him was shot down. After completion of his combat missions, he was made head of a special staff section HQ 15 AF at Bari, Italy. /ppAfter the war, he served in the Air Force Reserve. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, ten Air Medals, a personal commendation, theatre ribbons with stars and five other medals./ppIn December, 1946, he married Carol Chamberlain, an Army nurse he had met in North Africa, in a union that lasted 63 years until her death in 2010. During 30 years in Winnetka, Illinois, they raised three daughters, Mary, Sally and Susan. Charlie was the VP of the Hobart Paper Co. in Chicago until he retired in 1981./ppCharlie’s hobbies were woodworking, old house restoration, antique collecting, reading and racing the 17 foot Thistle sailboat. He was president of the national Thistle Class Association in the 1970’s and of the LeRay Mansion Restoration Corporation in the 1990’s. He was a volunteer general contractor in the 1980’s renovation of Christ Church, the Hay Memorial Library, and the north wing of the stone bank building, all in Sackets Harbor. With friend Tom Walker, he did extensive restoration work at the Jefferson County Historical Society and at the stone hospital building in Madison Barracks. In his late 80’s, he bought and restored a 1914 Model T – the same model as the first car he ever owned./ppHe is survived by brother, Frederick, of Searsmont, ME, daughter Jane Stevens of Dennis, MA, Mary (Gerald) Donahue of Depauville, Sally (Peter) Daly of Sackets Harbor, Susan (Peter) Greetham of Cicero, and three grandchildren: Tom Daly and his wife Holly, Megan Daly, and Christy Daly. /ppThe memorial service will be at Trinity Church in Watertown on Monday, March 28 at 10:30 AM. Those wishing to make donations may do so at the Hay Memorial Library, 105 N. Broad St, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St, Watertown, NY, 13601./p
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Lt. Col (Ret) Charles R. Wardwell
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Elaine G. Castor
pAKWESASNE – Elaine G. “Lanie” Castor, 65, Bear Clan, of 49 County Route 45, formerly of Racquette Point, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Massena Memorial ER, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. Friends may call at the home of her sister- Marjorie Skidders, 73 Tony Barnes Road beginning Monday at 2:00 PM until the time of service on Wednesday at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made in Lanie’s memory to the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group./pp/pp/p
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Roland A. McKee
pFuneral services for Roland A. McKee, age 78, of William Street, Ogdensburg will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Notre Dame Church with Rev. F. James Shurtleff officiating. Burial will be at Notre Dame Cemetery in the Spring. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Frary Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Mr. McKee passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center. /ppMr. McKee is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughter, Molly Ryan and her husband, Garth, of Ogdensburg; his son, Matthew McKee of North Carolina; two grandchildren, Sloane and Coby Ryan; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Frances Hackett, of Ogdensburg; and his brother, Thomas McKee and his wife, Geraldine, of Oregon, OH./ppRoland was born in Ogdensburg on December 4, 1937, the son of Thomas McKee and Bernadette Bayard. He graduated from OFA in 1955. He married the former Martha Hackett on May 9, 1964 at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Rev. Robert McCarthy officiating. Roland first worked for Oglebay Norton Shipping Company. In the 1970’s he worked for the Columbia Steamship Line. He worked for Associated Transport Company in Ogdensburg where he served as Manager. He later worked at St. Lawrence Railroad in Norfolk, later called National Railroad, and he was transferred to Philadelphia, PA. He returned to Ogdensburg at which time he owned and operated Mailboxes, Etc. After his retirement, he worked part time for the Ogdensburg Public Library. /ppMr. McKee was very community spirited and served on many boards such as St. Vincent de Paul Board (Past President), St. Joseph’s Home Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club (Past President), and the Ogdensburg Catholic School Board. He served on the Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce (Past President) and was elected Citizen of the Year. He was a member of Parish Council at Notre Dame Church and also served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was Past President and Coach of the Minor Hockey Association. He served on the Ogdensburg Housing Authority (Past Chairman) from 2003 to present and the Ogdensburg City Council from 1980-1984./ppRoland was a member of the Corvette Club. He enjoyed auto racing and watching ships traveling on the St. Lawrence River. Roland also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren./p
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Barbara T. Dodge
pFuneral services for Barbara T. Dodge age 90, of Ogdensburg and formerly of Massena, will be held at 1pm on Wednesday (March 23, 2016) at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Rev. Joseph Morgan & Rev. Donald Manfred concelebrating. Burial will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ogdensburg./ppCalling hours will be held on Tuesday (March 22, 2016) from 3:00-6:00pm at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home. Miss Dodge passed away on Sunday (March 20, 2016) at the St. Joseph’s Home where she was receiving rehabilitation services./ppSurviving is a sister Mary Trippany of Canton; a niece & nephew Thomas (Bonnie) Trippany of Florida and Sue (Ron) Bell of Franklin MA; a great-niece Stephanie Ann Bell and a special friend Janice McKenna of Syracuse. Two sisters Helen Ann & Irene Dodge predeceased her./ppBarbara was born on August 16, 1925 in Ogdensburg NY, a daughter of the late Myron & Annabelle (Sheldon) Dodge. She attended public school number 6 for first, second and third grades then transferred to St. Mary’s Grade School for grades four through eight. She attended St. Mary’s Academy for high school, graduating in 1942. She continued her education at Potsdam State Teachers College where she earned her Masters Degree in Education in 1946. During her career she worked in the Massena Central School System as a primary level educator. She retired in June of 1982. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Massena, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg and the LCBA Women’s Christian Group. Barbara enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with others. /ppBarbara’s family is grateful to Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, Riverledge Healthcare and especially to the staff of St. Joseph’s Home for their professionalism, kindness and compassionate care. Words cannot express the gratitude for the loving cards and messages also received from friends and former students whose lives “Miss Dodge” touched. /ppMemorial contributions can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com./p
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Helen A. Badlam
pWADDINGTON: Helen A. Badlam, age 90, of Clinton Street Waddington, NY passed away peacefully at home Saturday evening, (March 19, 2016) surrounded by her loving family and Hospice. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of the Phillips Memorial Home Waddington. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.phillipsmemorial.com/p
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Arlene C. Pearson
pArlene C. Pearson, 68, formerly of W. Main Street, passed away March 16, 2016 at the Samaritan Medical Center. Arlene had been a resident of Samaritan Keep Home for the past two years./ppArlene was born July 16, 1947 in Watertown a daughter of Elmer and Rose Sanford Holder. She attended General Brown High School. On May 14, 1979 she married Joseph W. Pearson, he died May 12, 1982. Arlene’s longtime companion Paul Vandermill died in 1998./ppArlene was employed with the Watertown Daily Times for over thirteen years, working in various departments. She retired from the Mail Department as a mail clerk. Arlene enjoyed going to Garage Sales, crocheting, playing Bingo and dancing to country music at Samaritan Keep Home and going shopping and out to eat with her sister Linda. /ppSurviving are a son William J., Watertown, a step-son and his wife, Kenneth M. and Mellisa, Watertown, a daughter and her husband, Michelle and James Jones, Adams Center, seven grandchildren, Ryan Howard, Angel Howard, Ryleigh Pearson, Tanner Pearson, Katelynn Cowan and Dylan Howard, Nicholas Pearson, three brothers and their wives, James and June Holder, Brownville, Richard and Sharon Holder, Brownville, Elmer ”Buster” and Mabel Holder, NC, three sisters and their husbands, Linda and James Turcott, Cape Vincent, Eleanor Barnett, Watertown, Rosemary and Sandy Harwood, Watertown, Anna “Sally” Perkins, New Mexico. Four brothers, Franklin, Charles, John, and Harold and three sisters, Elsie Jewell, Katherine Baylog, Pauline Langdon and Josephine Pardy all died before her./ppThere will no calling hours or funeral. A spring burial will be in North Watertown Cemetery. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com/p
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Keith L. Chatterton
pKeith L. Chatterton, 75, passed away Thursday at his home in Lacona. A memorial and spring burial will be at a later time. Arrangements are by Summerville Funeral Home in Sandy Creek./p
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Verda B. Sperati
pVerda B. Sperati, 85, of Pulaski, passed away Sunday March 20 at her home surrounded by family. She was the daughter of the late Luella and Claude Mouck. She was a member of the American Legion Post #358 Women’s Auxilary and the Sandy Pond Sportsmen’s Club. She was predeceased by her husband John L. Sperati./ppShe is survived by four sons, John (Kristine), Donald (Christine), Thomas (Lorrie), Richard Sperati and one daughter, Vickie Richter, 10 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren./ppServices will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Oswego County Hospice, PO Box 102 Oswego, NY 13126. /ppArrangements are by Summerville Funeral Home in Sandy Creek./p
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Velda J. Reed
pANTWERP- Velda June Reed, 88, passed away at her home Sunday March 20, 2016 with her family by her side./ppVelda was born on June 9, 1927 in Watertown, NY to the late Kenneth and Viola Teal LaClair and graduated from Antwerp High School in 1946./ppShe married Harold J. Reed of Gouverneur on October 25, 1946./ppMrs. Reed worked at a nursing home in Antwerp, in the cafeteria at Indian River High School, Philadelphia and Mercy Hospital, Watertown./ppShe was a member of the Antwerp American Legion Auxiliary, St Michael’s Altar and Rosary Society and honorary member of the Original Yanks Drum and Bugle Corp./ppMrs. Reed loved working in her flower beds, growing vegetables, feeding and watching the birds. Her favorite pastime was relaxing in her screen house by the river and her favorite saying was, “Life is great if you do not weaken.”/ppSurvivors include her ten children, Karen (Nelson) Brown, Evans Mills, Linda (Robert) Doxtater, Antwerp, Carol (Rodney) Davidson, Antwerp, Kathy (Charles) Ossont, Greenville, WI, Pam (Robert) Fink, Christmas, FL, Gary (Debbie) Reed , Kent, WA, David Reed, Philadelphia, Connie (Richard) Hilligas, Philadelphia, Brenda Reed, Antwerp and Harold (Bonnie) Reed, Antwerp; twenty two grandchildren; thirty seven great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald (Myra) LaClair, Antwerp and Larry (June) LaClair, Greensboro, NC; a sister, Rosemary Rose, Gouverneur; many nieces and nephews./ppShe was preceeded in death by her husband, Harold J. Reed, a sister, Beverly Goodreault, two brothers, Kenneth LaClair and Harold LaClair , a sister-in-law Mary Towne and a brother-in-law Franklin Reed./ppThe funeral will be 10 am Friday March 25 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Philadelphia with Rev. Christopher Looby officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Antwerp./ppCalling hours are 5 to 8 pm Thursday at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa./ppIn lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Original Yanks Drum and Bugle Corp. P.O.Box 44, Watertown, NY 13601 in Velda’s name./ppCondolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com./ppThe family requests their friends to join in a celebration of their mother’s life at the Antwerp American Legion following the service at the cemetery./p
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Ella Kelley
pN. Gouverneur – Ella Kelley, 83, passed away March 12th in North Carolina. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 2 pm at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur./p
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Gary W. Jones
pGOUVERNEUR- Gary M. Jones, age 76, of Gouverneur, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse./ppCalling hours for Gary will be on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. His funeral service will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com./ppGary was born on July 3, 1939 in Gouverneur to the late Paul D. and Beulah M. (LaForty) Jones. He graduated from Gouverneur Central School in 1957 and then was in the Army reserves at Fort Dix, NJ. After his time in the reserves, Gary attended Canton ATC, where he received his Associates Degree. A marriage to Isabel Holliday ended in divorce./ppAs a kid, Gary delivered newspapers and then worked for a little while at JJ Newberry’s. But, for the most part, he worked for his father at the family store, Jones Farm Supply in Gouverneur and has been there since he was in high school. He had also taught air conditioning and refrigeration at BOCES and at Canton ATC for a short while./ppGary is a member of the Sylvia Lake Association, the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce and is a former member of the Odd Fellows. He enjoyed fishing, boating, cutting wood and being at the lake. He was always working on something./ppHe is survived by his companion, Linda Hull; a son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Kathy Jones; a sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Clyde Butz; a granddaughter, Sabrina Jones and a nephew, Joel Mattimore all of Gouverneur./ppDonations may be made in Gary’s memory to the Sylvia Lake Association, c/o Robyn Estey, Treasurer, 72 Cambray St., Gouverneur, NY 13642./p
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Beverly J. Burgess
pFINE – Beverly J. Burgess, age 75, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the Jefferson County Hospice House./ppHer service will be held at a later date in the Woodland Cemetery in Fine. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home, Edwards./ppBeverly was born on April 11, 1940 in Gouverneur to the late Bert F. and Dorothy R. (Guiles) Demmon. She attended the Fine local school and the Clifton-Fine Central School./ppBeverly married George “Bob” Bush on March 3, 1961. The marriage ended in divorce. He passed away in January of 2007. She married Albert “Butch” Burgess on June 4, 1988. He passed away in March of 2016./ppBeverly had worked for O.W.D. in Tupper Lake, worked at Camp Drum, and was a nurse’s aid for the Clifton-Fine Hospital. She and Butch had lived in Fine for the past 10 years./ppMrs. Burgess loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed crocheting blankets for anyone who wanted one and was a real “spit-fire” who was full of life. Beverly was quick-witted, had a great sense of humor, and was full of unconditional love./ppHer survivors include her son, Mark Bush of Oswegatchie; her daughter, Renea Brabant and her companion, Stephen Wilson; step children, Kole Burgess and his wife, Lynette, of Gouverneur, Tisha Vleer Elliot and her husband, Gerry, of Waterville and Laura Miller of Gouverneur. /ppShe is also survived by her sisters, Judy Russell, Joan and Glen Boyd, Sharon Demmon and Robert Slagel, Genevra and Eldon Shaw, Hope and John Bulluck; her brother, Bert Demmon, Jr. and Pandora; several grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews./ppBeverly is predeceased by her parents and a brother-in-law, Gabe Russell./ppDonations in memory of Beverly may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com./p
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Jean Ellen Trivilino Boismenu Demeter
pJean Ellen Trivilino Boismenu Demeter, born Jan.26, 1947, died March 16, 2016, was the 4th child of Herman and Rose (Demeter) Trivilino, residents of Ogdensburg and Colton. Jean resided in northern California for many years and is survived in love by her 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and 9 siblings./p
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Mary (McCoy) Joyner
pMary (McCoy) Joyner, 80, of North Syracuse, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 at her home. Mary grew up in Burrville, NY, on the family farm and was the daughter of the late Francis and Dorothy (Bass) McCoy. She was a graduate of Alexandria Bay High School./ppMary worked as an operator for NY Telephone in the 1950’s and as a clerk for Rochester Shoes and Syracuse University Sport Shop. She enjoyed making crafts and selling her work at various craft shows. Mary loved to bowl and followed the DIRT Track modified racing circuit especially “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima for over 40 years./ppMary was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Gene Joyner, in 1999 and by her brother, Paul McCoy and a sister, Joan Boring. /ppShe is survived by her two children: Michael (Lee) Joyner of McGraw and Kim (David) Fraser of North Syracuse; five grandchildren: Christina, Amanda, Zachary, Jimmy, and Patrick; six great grandchildren; and by her siblings: Francis McCoy, Neil McCoy, Helen (Aden) McWayne, David (Joyce) McCoy, and Esther (Jim) Serafine. /ppContributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the CNY Alzheimer’s Assn., 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204./ppFriends may call on Tuesday from 4-7 pm at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale, NY. Prayer Services will begin on Wednesday, 10:45 am at the funeral home with an 11:30 am Mass of Christian Burial following at St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse. Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt. For more info, photos or to sign the guest book, please visit www.kruegerfh.com or www.facebook.com/KruegerFuneralHome /p
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Robert E. Love
pMASSENA – Mr. Robert E. “Bob” Love, 57, at native of Massena, unexpectedly passed away Saturday morning, March 19, 2016 at his home in Gainesville, Georgia. At his request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonfh.com./p
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Ethel J. Debien
pMassena: Ethel J. Debien, 91, of East Hatfield, passed away on Monday Morning (March 21, 2016) at the Massena Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. Calling hour will be held on Wednesday evening (March 23, 2016) from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Phillips Memorial Home, Massena. A full obit will appear in next edition. Arrangements are with the Phillips Memorial Home, Massena./p
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Mark L. Jones
pCOLTON—Arrangements for 83 year old Mark L. Jones, a resident of 74 Cottage Road, Colton, are incomplete at this time with the Buck Funeral Home in Colton. Mr. Jones passed away late Sunday evening at his home. A complete obituary will be available. The Buck Funeral Home in Colton is serving the family of Mark L. Jones./p
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Marjorie A. Farmer
pWatertown- A private graveside service will be held in Dexter Cemetery for Marjorie A. Farmer at the convenience of her family. There are no public services planned at this time./ppMarjorie passed away at her home March 17, 2016. She was 86 years old./ppBorn in Carthage April 04, 1929, she was a daughter to Earl L. and Merceline Shampine Mantle. She was educated locally, and received her high school diploma from Dexter High School. Marjorie received her L.P.N. degree from the ManPower Program of Community General Hospital, and received her R.N. Degree in 1971 in Jefferson Community College’s charter program./ppMarjorie would later receive her Nursing Practitioner degree from Stony Brook University. She was employed by Mercy Hospital as a Supervisor Nursing Practitioner until her retirement./ppOn August 16, 1947 she married Richard D. Farmer. Mr. Farmer passed away February 14, 1981./ppMarjorie was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, and enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing cards, her grandchildren, and volunteering at the Urban Mission./ppShe is survived by two children, Timothy Farmer of Dexter, Ellen Farmer of Watertown; 3 siblings, Bonnie Ziegler of Deruyter, NY, Neal Mantle of Oswego, Steven Mantle of Watertown; 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a large extended family./ppBesides her husband, Richard, Marjorie was predeceased by a son, Paul Farmer, and 3 siblings, Jack, Bill, and Earl Mantle./ppIn lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to either the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123./ppCondolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com./p
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Blossom “Bee” Johnson
pBlossom “Bee” Johnson passed away on February 17, 2016 with her family at her side. She was a devoted wife to Harold whom she lost in 1993, and mother to her son Robert and daughter Lynn Margaret whom she lost to lupus at the age of forty three. Her last smile was for her great granddaughter, Rhoda. /ppMom was a woman of great strength, who raised her children alone much of the time in Toms River, NJ when her husband was at sea in the Merchant Marine. She imbued within her children the love of learning. There were the hands on science projects to supervise. Yes, an x-ray machine and a one million volt Tesla coil built from scratch. She took us to concerts and Broadway shows and shared Harold’s love of the opera. She loved jazz and Big Band music. /ppBee was most proud of her own educational accomplishment earning a college degree from Georgian Court College in her sixties. After coming to Sackets Harbor, NY in 2007, she audited history classes at Jefferson Community College. She was a familiar figure coming and going to classes with her walker. She was honored to give a talk at the age of 88 to one of her classes about her life during the depression and WWII. /ppDuring WWII, Bee was a teletypist in the Times Building, and was entrusted to transmit an encrypted message directly between President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. She was very proud of her very first vote at the age of 21 for FDR. She instilled in her children the importance of voting, admonishing us “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” She never failed to vote in an election. /ppBee was a child of the Great Depression. She didn’t trust banks and until coming to live in Sackets would store canned goods in the basement. She gave great perspective to what hardship really was and an appreciation to her children of how good we really have it. She never liked her given name, Blossom. Upon returning to New York City as a teenager, after her father’s dry goods store failed during the Depression in Georgia, she was teased over her name, but mostly about her acquired southern accent. She always then went by “Bee”. /ppAnd a bee she was. She was an advocate for women’s rights, being president of the local League of Women Voters in Toms River. She was a charter and founding member of the Ocean County, NJ, formerly Murray Grove, Unitarian Church. She especially valued her friends at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church who welcomed her soon after her arrival in Sackets. She was active in the PTA during her children’s schooling. She cared about the environment and wildlife. She was a devoted wife, ferrying Hal to various ports to meet ships going to and coming from sea. /ppYou always knew where Mom stood. Mom was very political. She always believed that there should be a social safety net and loved FDR for what he did during the Depression. One could say she was a “yellow dog democrat.” She so much wanted to vote for Bernie Sanders. /ppBee didn’t particularly like the winters up here Sackets, but loved sitting on the porch during the summers. She will be sorely missed by her son, Robert. Her daughter-in-law, Mary, was her major care giver during her waning years, and every now and then realized the enormity of Mary’s gift and would thank her. She didn’t like getting old, but did it with courage and tenacity. At the end, she experienced the compassionate care of her hospice nurses which made it possible to stay at home. /ppSurviving her are her son Robert Johnson and wife, Mary, grandson Adam Johnson and wife Amy, granddaughter Claire Parr and husband David Parr, great granddaughter Rhoda Felicity Parr and a new life expected in May. May God grant her peace with Hal for all eternity. /ppA short memorial service will be held Sunday, April 10, 2016 at All Souls Unitarian Church, Watertown at 12 noon after the morning service. She will be interred next to her husband at the Doyle Veterans Cemetery in New Jersey later this spring. /ppIn lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L St. NW, Ste. 410, Washington DC 20036 or at www.lupus.org or the National Wildlife Federation, PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116 or at www.nwf.org. Arrangements are entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown, NY and online condolences may be made at http://www.cummingsfuneral.com.//p
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Betty J. Spink-Miller
pWATERTOWN- Betty J. Spink-Miller, 89, passed away Monday morning March 21, 2016 at the Hospice House of Jefferson County, Watertown, NY. Arrangements are incomplete with Cleveland Funeral Home of Watertown./p
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