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Mary Louise Anderson Mason

4/29/2017

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 Mary Louise Anderson Mason, of Skaneateles and formerly of Homer, NY, the dear wife of Sam Mason II, and beloved mother of Sam III, Linda, David, John, and Lisa, passed away peacefully on April 29 surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Lou often talked fondly of all the rich blessings of her life. She grew up in Fulton, NY with a close and loving family.  Her parents, Margaret O’Neill Anderson, and father, Williard August Anderson, were role models for her and instilled the values of love, family, and responsibility in her and her seven siblings, Betty, Bill, Dick, Margi, Karen, John, and Neill.
Mary Lou was born May 6, 1927 in Canastota, NY. The family soon moved to Fulton, NY where she spent her childhood, graduating from Fulton High School in 1944. She was involved in drama, basketball, student government and had a close group of girlfriends who had their own secret call signal.
She went on to Cornell University, School of Home Economics, and graduated in 1948.  She was a quick and skillful starter on the women’s basketball team and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority.
Mary Lou taught high school in Saugerties, NY and then moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. She was hired by the Pennsylvania Gas Company as a Home Service Representative. She produced and appeared in cooking shows and wrote articles for the company newsletter.
It was in Erie that Mary Lou and Sam met.  It was love at first sight and in a few weeks Sam asked Mary Lou to marry him.  Their 66-year love affair was an inspiration and model for their five children and many others.
Mary Lou and Sam chose Homer, NY, as the ideal place to raise their family.  Mary Lou took a deep interest in all her children’s friends and offered support, a shoulder to lean on, and a great sense of humor. She was beloved by all who came into her orbit.
Mary Lou was energetically committed to her community.  She and three friends created the Landmark Society of Homer in 1970.  Mary Lou and Anna Hilton co-wrote the book, Historic Homer. They were successful in registering Homer as a historic district, one of the largest historic districts in New York State at the time.
In 1971, Mary Lou was elected to the board of the SUNY Cortland Development Foundation where she served for 21 years. She served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Foundation and was also head of the Scholarship Committee.  Scores of deserving students were able to attend SUNY Cortland on scholarship under her leadership and dedication.
Known for her effective and committed community engagement, she ran for the Homer Village Board, a board of four trustees who governed the village of Homer.  She won that election in 1974, which made her the first woman trustee of Homer in the 150-year history of the village, often serving as acting mayor throughout her tenure.
In addition to her civic roles, Mary Lou also managed her husband’s medical office for decades.
Mary Lou was an intellectual and took philosophy and literature courses at SUNY Cortland while raising five children and volunteering in the community as a cub scout leader and religious education instructor – and by the way, she made an “A” in every course she took! She played competitive bridge and avidly did the New York Times crossword puzzle each morning.
Mary Lou was always a great adventurer. She traveled to Central America with Sam and was selected to participate on one of the first US citizen groups in 1975 to travel to China after it first opened up to the West. She traveled to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South East Asia. She and Sam volunteered in the refugee camps on the Cambodian border and in the Sudan. She had the ability to engage and impress senior foreign officials as well as create a deep and concerned connection with those who were most impoverished.
Mary Lou and Sam’s greatest source of happiness were their children, 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.  Her memory will remain an integral part of all of their lives.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, July 29, at the St. James Episcopal Church at 96 East Genesee Street in Skaneateles. A reception will follow at 3:30 pm at the Sherwood Inn at 26 East Genesee Street in Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Hospice of the Finger Lakes (hospiceofthefingerlakes.org).
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
 
 
 

 

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Alice "Toni" Stephenson

4/22/2017

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 Alice “Toni” Stephenson, 86, of Skaneateles passed away on April 22nd at Matthew House. Toni worked in retail as an associate for the Casual Corner Group. She was an interior decorator and many years ago she had a shop in Skaneateles with her partner Pat Bowling called Interior Design Associates. She was very involved with the Skaneateles Polo Club doing their PR for them. As one of her friends at the gateway said Toni was a very elegant and wise private lady. That was my mom. She will be missed.
Toni was predeceased by her husband John R. Stephenson, her sons Kenneth and John R. Jr. and a brother Thomas. She is survived by her daughter Jacquelyn Bay, her son-in-law John W. Bay, her grandson Harley Stephenson and her daughter-in-law Jennifer. We want to thank Wendy at Matthew House and their amazing staff and volunteers. It is truly a wonderful place. Per Toni’s wishes there will be no calling hours and services will be private. Donations can be made to Matthew House 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.


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Mary (Froats) Squires

4/19/2017

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 Mary (Froats) Squires, 78, of Skaneateles passed away on April 19, 2017 with her family by her side. She touched many lives, and was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Mary leaves behind her husband of 62 years Ernest Squires, Jr., children Holly Amidon, Ernest Squires, III and Ruth Vazquez, grandchildren Benjamin, Lacy and Kyle Amidon, Brandi (Travis) Vazquez, Jessi Vazquez and Hailey Pysnack, great grandchildren Dominga Camacho and Jesus` Ortiz. She also leaves behind her siblings Gayle Kendall and Kevin (Dawn) Woods of Florida along with numerous nieces and nephews that will remember Aunt Mary fondly.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff on the second floor of the Commons on St. Anthony, for the wonderful care and concern that she received over the last few years. Without it, our time apart would have been much more difficult.
Services for Mary will be 10 a.m. Thursday April 27 at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home. Relatives and friends may call on the family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday April 26 at the funeral home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles.

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Nancy Sue (Updike) Smith

4/13/2017

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Nancy Sue (Updike) Smith, 50, of Sennett passed away Thursday April 13, 2017 at Crouse Hospitalsurrounded by her loving family. Born January 4, 1967 in Syracuse to William Updike and the late Norma Jean Updike, she graduated from Marcellus High School in 1985 and Cayuga Community College of Nursing in 1987. She worked as an RN at Community General Hospital, Crouse Irving Prompt Care and Auburn Memorial Hospital. She took great pride in providing loving care to family and friends throughtheir illnesses. Besides her mother she was also predeceased by her grandparents, Edwin and Erma Roberts and Virginia Mason, mother and father-in-law Thomas and Ruth Smith.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 30 years James Smith, son Thomas James (Ireland) Smith, daughter Stephanie Rose (Cory Freebern) Smith and soon to be granddaughter Skylar Rose. She also leaves behind her stepchildren Crystal and Jimmy, brother Ken (Deb) Updike, sisters Doris (Donnie) Buschbascher, Sharon (John) Barker and Jeanne Ferguson and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday April 18 at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles, with a funeral service to follow.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to SAVES
A Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Hartzheim and the staff on 7M at Crouse Hospital for their care and compassion.
Online condolences may be left at www.robertdgrayfuneralhome.com

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Josephine P. "Jody" Conroe

4/6/2017

9 Comments

 
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 Josephine P. “Jody” Conroe, of Jamesville, NY formerly a 50 year resident of Skaneateles, NY peacefully passed on April 6, 2017 at Upstate at Community Campus, Syracuse NY.  Born in Corning, NY, Jody attended the Addison Central School District where her love of music began. She was a member of the high school orchestra and played violin.  Jody began working at Corning Hospital, and decided to continue her education at Alfred University, receiving her RN/ Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1952. There, she met her husband of 64 years,  Barden A. Conroe, currently of Jamesville. The couple then moved around various states until settling in Skaneateles, NY in 1966.   Jody focused on raising her three loving children, Perry B. Conroe (Geeta), Connie E. Beall (Greg), and Shelley C. Andrade.
Jody became enamored of the game of golf during this time, and was a 50 year member at the Skaneateles Country Club where she held many positions in the early Junior Golf Program in the late 60’s and 70’s, Couples Twilight League, various Ladies Leagues and events. She continued her musical endeavors by singing in the First Presbyterian Church Adult Choir, The Marcellus Master Works Chorale, and at one time was Chair of the Skaneateles Syracuse Symphony Guild.
Jody returned to nursing in 1981 to work for Columbia Rope, Auburn, and then Consolidated Industries in Syracuse from which she retired from in 1994.  After her retirement, Jody “Buns” Conroe began to enter various local and regional golf tournaments, receiving over 20 awards and trophies. Her competition golf career spanned 20 years, reaching her pinnacle when competing for the gold medal in the New York Empire State Senior games.   Jody finished eighth in the Senior Olympics in Louisville,  Kentucky in 2008.
Jody is survived by her husband of 64 years, Barden A. Conroe of Jamesville, NY; her son Perry B. Conroe ( Geeta) of Jamaica, NY; Connie E. Beall (Greg) of Delhi, NY; and, Shelley C. Andrade of Syracuse, NY and Tampa, FL.  Jody has 7 special grandchildren: Christine  Conroe, Natalie Conroe Freeman, Monica Conroe ( Ivan Mercado); Alexandra M. Beall (Ryan Grohsmeyer) and Curt R. Beall; Breanne M. Buff (Collin Fleming); two step-grandchildren: Jessica L. Andrade and Benjamin P. Andrade (Tomasina Durrant); two great-grandchildren: Liam Freeman and Rosalina Mercado; and one step-great granddaughter, Liliana Marie Andrade. Jody is also survived by her sister Jean Smith of Addison NY; her brother-in law Bruce A Conroe of Saratoga Springs, NY; and several beloved Conroe, Smith, and Reagan nieces and nephews.
There will be a musical Celebration of Life service for Jody at the First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles NY Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 10:30, with the family burial service in early August.   Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Center for Cancer Research, Washington DC, or the First Presbyterian Church Skaneateles Music Program.


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