Death Notices for the week of June 11, 2001
Death Notices for the week of
June 11, 2001

May Epke, former Lakeside Administrator

•Epke, May H., On May 31, at age 102. She is survived by her nieces, Ann (Dr. D.R. Richard) Friedman of New Hampshire and Barbara (Gordon) Epke-Nahas; nephews, John and Jim Epke of Colorado and Peter Epke. Ms. Epke became the Administrator of the Brockport Central Hospital in 1944 - later to be named Lakeside Memorial Hospital (1947). It was located in a converted house at 196 Main Street. Always dedicated to what would become "Quality Care Close to Home," she organized the first consulting staff of 40 specialists and provided leadership to Lakeside's first accreditation by what is now known as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. To this day, those who worked with her talk about her vision and excellent leadership, her kindness, her concerns for high quality care and her commitment and gratitude to the many volunteers who gave of their time to Lakeside.

As demand grew for hospital services, in 1945 Ms. Epke helped organize a fund drive for the expansion of the hospital. This capital campaign, Lakeside's first, involved over 600 volunteers and 2,300 donors and raised $275,000. These resources made possible the construction of a 51-bed hospital on West Avenue and it was dedicated in 1951. She was an avid supporter of the Twig Organization which played a key role in helping her raise funds for further improvements and medical equipment.

In 1963, Ms. Epke played a key role in another capital campaign that added a new operating room, emergency room, dietary department, laboratory, radiology and central supply as well as 20 additional beds. In 1964, May Epke retired and lived independently in the community until three years ago when she returned to Lakeside as a resident of the Lakeside Beikirch Care Center.

Each year Ms. Epke was invited to celebrate her birthday at the hospital reception with the Lakeside Foundation Annual Gala Dinner's keynote speakers.

"May's passing away ends an era of her personal and professional service to her family, friends, her community and her hospital," said Robert W. Harris, CEO of Lakeside Health System. "I can only imagine the energy and commitment it took to create her vision for the future of our hospital in the late 1940s and early 1950s. We have lost a very kind and friendly health care leader."

Alice Dutcher, Chair of the Lakeside Health System Board of Governors and friend of May Epke, said, "May is best remembered with her own words in her letter to the community in a 1961 Lakesiders Newsletter. She reminded the community that this was their hospital … that she and the board were only temporary custodians of its welfare. She was sure it would continue to expand with the growth of the area but reminded us of the vision that continues to guide Lakeside: 'It would be my fondest hope that high quality care and human understanding will remain first and foremost in the goals and aims of its management.' "

All of her friends at Lakeside will miss her and will honor her contribution to Lakeside's history by continuing their commitment to "Quality Care Close to Home."

Funeral Service and interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 6601 Fourth Section Road, Brockport 14420.

BROCKPORT

•Mahony, Rita Hayes, A native of Brockport, May 4, 2001 at her home in Scarsdale with her family beside her. She was 86. She married Daniel L. Mahony of Yonkers in 1943. She was a graduate of the Nazareth schools, Nazareth College Class of 1937 and the Brockport State Normal School. She began her career as a teacher at Churchville High School before relocating to Yonkers, teaching in the public school system there for 28 years. A beloved mother and grandmother, she is survived by her three children, Daniel H. of Ireland, Thomas P. of Bronxville, her daughter, Suzy R. of Harrison; and two grandchildren.

CHILI

•Milner, Kenneth R. Sr., on May 20, 2001. He is survived by his loving wife, Thelma; his sons, Kenneth R. (Delores) Milner, Jr. and Rex A. (Debbie) Milner of Rochester; his daughter, Linda J. (Milner) Logan of Bradenton, Florida; three sisters, Dolores Faker of Tucson, Arizona, Donna Jill Layman and Marcy Stickles of Rochester; two brothers, Jack Milner of Rochester and Mark Milner of Bradenton, Florida; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was an insurance agent at State Farm Insurance Co. of Chili; a member of the Churchville Moose Lodge and a volunteer at the Chili Library and the LPGA of Rochester.

A Memorial Service was held June 2 at the First Presbyterian Church of Chili. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 3600 Chili Avenue, Rochester 14624 or the Chili Library, 3333 Chili Avenue, Rochester 14624.

CHURCHVILLE

•Bryant, Sandra L. (Collard), Suddenly, May 30, 2001 at age 59. She is survived by her husband, Howard C. Bryant; her children, Richard (Dawn) Bryant, Donna (Kenneth) Guy and Debra Bryant; three grandchildren; her sister, Sharon A. O'Neil of Caledonia; several nieces and nephews. She was an employee of Heany Industries.

A Funeral Service was held June 4 at Walker Brothers Company Funeral Home, Inc., Churchville. Interment Oakta Cemetery, Scottsville. Contributions can be made to the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department or Ambulance.

GREECE

•Amodio, Carmen, May 30, 2001, suddenly at age 64. Survived by his children, David Amodio, Beth (Randy) Jones, Todd Hess; sisters, Mary Vattimo of Retsof, Ann (Henry) Millewich of Scottsville; several nieces, nephews and friends. Carmen was the owner of Spencerport Building Materials.

Funeral Services were held June 4 at the First Bible Baptist Church. Entombment Riverside Cemetery. Donations can be made to Ridgemont Country Club, 3717 W. Ridge Road 14626 for the Carmen Amodio Memorial Fund in his memory.

HAMLIN

•Rath, Sally A., (Bardo), suddenly, May 30, 2001 at age 52. She is predeceased by her husband, Jack L. Rath (1939-1994). She is survived by her children, Erin Anna Rath and Jack K. Rath; brother, John Bardo and Robert McWillliams of California; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many friends.

A graveside service was held June 4 at Lakeside Cemetery, Hamlin. Contributions can be made to Erin or Jack Rath, P.O. Box 745, Hilton 14468.

SPENCERPORT

•Muehlbauer, Peter J., suddenly, June 5, 2001 at 42 years. He is survived by his wife, Carol J. (Hayes) Muehlbauer; his son, Jared; his parents, Leonard C. and Margaret A. (Bantle) Muehlbauer of Eden; two brothers, John L. (Patricia) of Stafford, and James P. (Nadine) Muehlbauer of Chili; sister, Kathy A. (John) Schwertfager of Eden; his parents-in-law, Stewart and Jeanne Hayes of Gates; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was held June 9 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Gates Volunteer Ambulance Service in his memory.

•Muszak, Stella A. "Joan," May 31, 2001 at age 82. Predeceased April 5, 2001 by her husband of 62 years, John J. Muszak. She is survived by her children, Janice (Joseph) Scoppa of Spencerport, Martin (Kathleen) Muszak of Irondequoit, and James (Kim) Muszak of Spencerport; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter; several nieces and nephews. She was a member of Salmon Creek Country Club since 1964 and was the Women's Club Champion 11 times.

A Funeral Mass was held June 4 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the School of the Holy Childhood or to the American Cancer Society in her memory.

•Przybycien, Dianna G., May 31, 2001 at age 65. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Edward F. Przybycien; her son, Todd (Valerie) Przybycien of Pittsburgh; her niece and daughter, Stacy Graczyk of Buffalo; her grandson, Jakob Przybycien; several nieces and nephews. She was a retiree of the Spencerport School District and was a graduate of Alfred University.

A Memorial Mass will be held June 13 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 North Greece Road to be followed by a family reception at the Plantation Party House, 1875 North Union Street, Spencerport. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Central Schools Scholarship Committee c/o Donna Wolf, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559 or Journey Home Hospice c/o Tracey Jagla, 994 Long Pond Road, Rochester 14626, or please consider a blood donation or monetary contribution to the American Red Cross (Greater Rochester Chapter, Box 30140, Rochester, NY 14603).

•Stone, James Thompson, June 6, 2001 at age 69. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Helen M. Stone; three daughters, Linda (Raymond) Mongeon, Amy (Jonathan) Paris of North Carolina and Lori Stone; three grandchildren; his brother, Roger (Ann) Stone of Ohio; his sister, Lois (James) Moses of Ohio; his sister-in-law, Laura Stone of Ohio; several nieces and nephews. He was retiree of Rochester Products, a member of UAW #1097 and Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330.

A Memorial Service was held June 9 at Concord Lutheran Church. Contributions can be made to Unity Health System, Oncology Hematology Unit or the U of R Cancer Center, or the Memorial Fund of Concord Lutheran Church in his memory.