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Death Notices for the week of
May 15, 2005 Garland shop owner Jean McCagg known far as "flower lady" Jean McCagg was known as the "flower lady" and she was a bit of a celebrity, known for her artistic floral designs. Jean (Harrington) McCagg left her native Buffalo in the mid 1940s to pursue a physical education major at SUNY Brockport. Family members said that she assumed that once she graduated she would move on to another town and begin a teaching career. But all that changed the night she and Bob McCagg met. "I almost immediately asked her out," he said. That meeting led Jean down a different path. She went on to complete her degree but by graduation, the first of Bob and Jean's six children, Pipper, was born - Bob and Jean had gotten married a year earlier. Brockport remained Jean's home for the rest of her life. More specifically, Garland, just east of Brockport, is where she lived in three homes -- maybe a quarter-mile apart -- over a period of nearly 60 years. But for having moved so little, she covered a lot of ground. Mrs. McCagg began a business in her home and arranged flowers for countless weddings, funerals and parties, in addition to what she sold out of her shop, the Garland Floral Shop. "She knew all of Brockport and all of Brockport knew her over that 44-year period," her husband said. People know that she would go the extra mile for them and her son, Steve, said that his mom would "open up at night and on weekends for anyone who needed her in a pinch, and also how she could fix any problem -- a torn wedding train or a hasty flower rearrangement just before a wedding began." Jean was known as an energetic mother and businesswoman who always balanced work and family life successfully. Her son, Paul, said, "Having the floral shop did not take away from our family, it added to it." He also said, "She made me feel special which is hard with six kids." As a mother, Jean knew how to have fun with the children but also taught them self-sufficiency. In addition, she was described as a peacemaker who didn't play favorites and tried to get both sides' point of view. Mrs. McCagg went out of her way to make birthdays and holidays special. BJ said in recent years the two of them would go shopping and Mom would fuss over getting just the right presents for her children and grandchildren, including those in Florida, Australia, Michigan. "I personally remember mom as being very conversational, witty and sincere, and extremely loving and caring, " her daughter, Elizabeth (Betty Jean "BJ" Freed) said. Son Steve said his first memories of his mother were when she was teaching him to tie his shoes. "This was a skill required for maybe kindergarten and was the first of many lessons I would learn from her," he said. "Growing up, the hospital emergency room was no stranger to us and the staff knew our family well," David said. "We were active kids who were forever stepping on nails or bumping our heads. We were always told to take a bath because Mom didn't want the hospital personnel to see us all dirty. Then we would go to the hospital and Mom would be with us throughout." David said watching his mother successfully operate the Garland Floral Shop taught him the importance of helping support the family and the value of hard work and money. "We all pitched in to various degrees as the runners, and, as we got older, the drivers. Throughout high school it was my job to come home from school and make deliveries that mom had created throughout the day. Without knowing it, Mom had taught us a practical way to use the endless energy of a teenager." As teenagers, Steve said he and his siblings were told they could have a car if they could afford all of the costs and, being young drivers, insurance was astronomical. "Mom was teaching us another valuable lesson; we needed to work for what we wanted," he said. David remembers the day his brother Pipper was killed by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle. "I saw Mom and Dad truly weep that day, and on that day we learned from Mom and Dad how to mourn." The family spent summers on the water and the kids developed a passion for sailing - one fueled by their parents who were founding members of the Bald Eagle Yacht Club. David remembers his mother as a mentor to others starting out in the flower business. "Although they would become competition, she was more than happy to help them make a good start by giving them resources and training," he said. "This taught us that the 'competition' was truly our friend." Mrs. McCagg's greatest passion, her children say, was her love and devotion to the family. "When she was recently hospitalized, one thing she told us is that she wanted to be known as a wife, mother and grandmother. She is all of these things and more to everyone she has left behind," David said. "The circle of life continues as her granddaughter, Karen, recently gave birth to baby Jake. Mom was delighted to see that her second great-grandchild will continue the family legacy." Mrs. McCagg died April 27, mere weeks after having been diagnosed with cancer. She passed away four days before her 57th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Kathy Hardman, Paul (Darla), Stephen (Jean Marie), David (Dianne), Elizabeth Freed; 10 grandchildren; one great grandchild; three sisters, Elizabeth (Franklin) Spinner, Patricia (Donald) Greene, Mary Dolan; brother, Carlos Harrington Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was said April 30 at the Church of the Nativity BVM. Interment, Garland Cemetery. Those wishing can contribute to Lakeside Memorial Hospital in her memory. AREA •Noeth, George J., died April 8, 2005 in Dunedin, Florida on his 79th birthday after a brave battle with acute leukemia. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat; children, Jon David (Linda) Noeth, Suzanne Diegel, Pleasant Valley, Jacqueline (John) Fitzsimmons and Christopher (Carmen) Noeth; grandchildren, Heather (Cliff) Faircloth, Alissa (David) Lama, Jennifer Diegel, Patrick and Ryan Fitzsimmons; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Alexis Lama, Gavin and Gabriella Faircloth. George graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1945 and was in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union Local #85, a realtor and past manager for the Greece office of the Nothnagle Gallery of Homes. A Memorial Mass will be held on May 21 at St. Christopher's Church, 3350 Union Street, North Chili. Interment, St Vincent DePaul Cemetery, Churchville. Contributions in his memory can be made to Aquinas Institute (for new football stadium), 1127 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY 14613. ALBION •Plummer, Vera (Cushing), Age 92, died May 7, 2005. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles T. Plummer. She is survived by her sons, George (Mary) of Kansas, Charles of Ontario, James (Judith) of Kent, Walter (Doreen) of Florida, David (Linda) of Piffard; 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Cushing of Hilton; nieces and nephews. Vera was a former employee of Eastman Kodak Company. A Funeral Service was held May 9 at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Albion. Interment, Mt. Albion Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Orleans County. BYRON •Hill, Gladys Maher, May 1, 2005, age 80. Wife of Richard C. Hill of South Byron; mother of Richard J. (Aprille) Hill of Colorado, Brenda (Eugene) Ettinger of Byron, Judith (Derrick Jackson) Chilson of Batavia, David (Deborah Wolck) Hill of Batavia, Jack (Lesle) Hill of Bergen, James (Cheryl) Hill of Wisconsin and Gary (Nancy) Hill of Corfu; sister of Robert (Kathleen) Maher of Bergen, Jane Ryan of California, Geraldine Lichti of Florida, Barbara (Vincent) O'Grady of Bergen, Marlene (James) Ireland of Bergen and Donna (Robert) Powers of Bergen and the late Norman Maher. Also survived by 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was said May 7 at St. Brigid's Church, Bergen. Interment, North Byron Cemetery. Memorials can be made to United Memorial Medical Center, Attn.: Hospice Unit, 127 North Street, Batavia, NY 14020. BROCKPORT •Galton, Mary Jane (Craig) (Turner) "Jane," Thursday, May 5, 2005 at age 83 after a long illness. Predeceased by her husbands, Guy H. Turner and Howard A. Galton. Survived by her son, Gregory (Mary Lynne) Turner; step-son, John (Barbara) Galton; step-daughter, Jane (William) Taromino; grandchildren, Keith Turner, Kenneth (Shannon) Galton, Howard M. Galton, Julie Galton, Brian Galton, Kristin Taromino, Deanna Taromino; great-grandson, Max Galton; sister, Helen (Donald)Schafer; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Lloyd) Wade and Helen Turner; brother-in-law, Richard Turner; several nieces and nephews. Jane was an active member of Parkminster Presbyterian Church. She was a teacher in the Rochester City School District and Gates Chili Central School District where she retired in 1973. She worked at the Chili Public Library for eight years and also served as a library volunteer. A Funeral Service was held May 9 at Parkminster Presbyterian Church. Interment at St. Rose Cemetery, Shortsville, New York. Donations can be sent to Parkminster Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer's Association. A special thanks to all of her caregivers. •Sauls, Graydon C., April 28, 2005. He is survived by his parents, Georgia and Ensign; his sisters, Joan Sauls and Barbara Graves; nephews, Patrick and Timothy. Funeral and interment at the convenience of the family. HAMLIN •DiGiovanni, Constance J., May 7, 2005. Survived by her parents Anthony and Jean DiGiovanni; sisters and brother Regina (Edward) Swart of Yorktown, Mark (Beth) DiGiovanni of Georgia and Andrea (John) Wheatley; nieces and nephews Kim (Ray), Jason, Laura, Mara and Ian; great niece and great nephew Nicole and Zachary; her many mutual friends of Bill W.; many aunts, uncles and cousins. A Funeral Mass was held May 11 at St. Peter and Paul Church, Rochester. Inurnment at a later date. Donations can be made to St. Peter's Kitchen, 681 Brown Street, Rochester 14611 or to a charity of one's choice in her memory. •Junior, Ronald Mackay, Suddenly, May 2, 2005. He is predeceased by his father, Joseph Mackay Junior. Survived by his wife, Mary Louise; daughter, Marcella Louise (David) Albanese; mother, Margaret Junior Cornell and husband, Thomas E. Cornell; grandsons, Miguel and Javerri Gonzalez; cousin, Chris Hampton; and extended family in Scotland. Ron was a retired New York State Trooper. A Memorial Service was held May 7 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association. •Nicholson, Liam A., May 7, 2005, 11 days old. Survived by his parents, Christopher and Donna Nicholson; brothers and sisters, Christopher Jr., Deborah, Cameron and Sadie; maternal grandmother, Patricia Fisken; uncles, Scott (Rachel) Fisken and Dennis Leverenz. A Funeral Service was held May 14 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Interment Parma Union Cemetery. •Stoll, Herman, H. J., May 2, 2005, age 81. Survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Herman; brother, Robert (Christel) Stoll; and nieces. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at Laurelton Presbyterian Church. Contributions can be made to the Laurelton Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. HILTON •Carl, Shirley L. (Lemcke), May 7, 2005 age 74. Predeceased by Kenneth E. Carl; brothers, Howard Robert, Richard and Arthur Lemcke; sisters, Hazel Kennedy and Betty Lou Delano. Beloved mother of Barbara (Richard) Elliott, Kathleen Carl, Diane (Richard) Nahlik, Kenneth H. Carl; grandchildren, Dawn (Ryan) Howe, Lynn (Colin) Clement, Apryl and Bethany Dragert, Scott and Kim Turgon, Audrey and Leah Carl, Christopher and Lindsey Nahlik; great-granddaughter, Myia; brothers and sisters, Florence Frey, Helen Kramer, John (Gladys) Lemcke, Harold (Shirley) Lemcke, Allen (Barbara) Lemcke, Gerald (Joyce) Lemcke, Geraldine (Don) Dow, Larry (Arletta) Lemcke, Donald (Jackie) Lemcke, Betty Lemcke, Chet Delano; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. A Funeral Service was held May 12 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Interment, Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to American Lung Association or Camp Good Days and Special Times in her memory. •Maneti, Jesse James Sr., May 6, 2005, age 67. Survived by his wife, Carol; children, Jesse (Laurie) Maneti Jr., David (Estelle) Maneti, Tyrone Maneti, Jan (Patti) Maneti; brother, Nick (Marge) Mineti; sisters Agnes Minnitti, Frances Stahalman, Stella (George) DeFelice, Margaret (Gerald) Zenkel; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Roseann (Ray) Sciarratta; 10 grand-children; nieces, nephews and cousins. A Funeral Mass was said May 9 at St. Leo Church, Hilton. Entombment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Con-tributions can be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times in his memory. HOLLEY •Christian, Sophia Rinas, Age 77, of Pine City, New York, died May 4, 2005 at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Georgia. She had been staying with her son on St. Simons Island, Georgia for the past six months. Mrs. Christian was born April 14, 1928 in Clarendon, NY. She was a retired receptionist with Arnot-Ogden Hospital in Elmira. Surviving are a son, Paul A. Christian (Jane) St. Simons Island, Georgia, a daughter, Natalie Keesay, Wheeler, New York; a brother, Oscar Rinas, Ohio; two sisters, Julie Youngs, Columbus, Ohio and Janet Rinas, Holley; six grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held May 15, 2005 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Brockport. Private interment, Garland Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, Georgia 31525. •Chwiecko, Chester, Age 86, died May 6, 2005. Chester had owned and operated Pace A. Tronics in Rochester. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph. He is survived by his wife Catherine (Georgia) Chwiecko; devoted daughter, Holly (Paul) Moore of Holley; son, Ernest (Pam) Andreano of Texas; eight grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins. Funeral Services were held May 13 at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Holley. Interment at the convenience of the family. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. •Tripoli Russell, May 6, at age 80. Predeceased by his first wife, Jeanette and parents Frank and Maria, sister Lena D'Ambrosia. Survived by wife, Patricia; daughters Iva (Bill) Penlon, Janice (Carl) Bonferraro; step children, Marsha Peone, Ed and Tom Ward; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; three nieces, Madilyn Harter, Toni (Rob) Van Den Bergh and Marie (Gary) Columbo. Russell was a true craftsman of wood work-ing and people, anyone who knew him loved him. Funeral Services were held May 10 at the James R. Gray Funeral Home. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery, Hamlin. Memorials can be sent to Lifetime Care Home Health and Hospice, 70 Metro Park, Rochester 14623 or the American Cancer Society. KENDALL •Steehler, Eleanor Marie Leckinger, of Tucson, Arizona died March 10, 2005. She is survived by her husband of 59 years Richard J. Steehler and her son and daughter-in-law David and Carol Steehler of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; four daughters and sons-in-law, Marlene and Fred Bates of Parks, Arizona, Janet and Patrick Bolton of Kendall, Barbara and Jeffery Reamer of Rogers, Arizona, Carol and Steve Schreiner of Rushville; 13 grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Myrtie Leckinger of Laughlin, Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations can be made to Corondelet Hospice of Tucson, Arizona or the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. A Mass of remembrance was held at San Xavier Mission, Tucson, Arizona, March 14, 2005. MURRAY •Engert, Charles J. "Chuck," 69, died May 5, 2005 at his home after a brief illness. He was born on September 7, 1935 in Holley to Charles and Isabel (Ruger) Engert and has been a lifetime resident of this area. He worked in the Maintenance Department of SUNY Brockport for 20 years until his retirement in 2001. He was predeceased by first wife Willa Mae in 1993. Along with his mother, he is survived by wife Sharon (Pask) Engert; a son, Charles (Denise) Engert of Hamlin; two daughters, Charlotte (David) Spender of Lima, Candy (Dewey) Farmer of Holley; twelve grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; three brothers, Ronald (Katie) Engert of Kendall, William and Thomas Engert of Holley; two sisters, Marilyn (George) Strabel of Holley, Barbara (Robert) Vanloan of Batavia; sister-in-law Sandra Engert of Holley; brother-in-law, Jim Paul of Holley; many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two sons, Carl and Chester Engert; a grandson, Paul Engert; brother, Walter Engert; and sister, Diane Paul. Funeral Services were held may 10 at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home, Albion. Interment private at the convenience of the family. Memorials can be sent to Hospice of Orleans or the American Cancer Society. •Passaniti, Virgil, 62, died May 6, 2005 at Highland Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Carol (Myers) whom he married in 1969; two daughters, Heather (Richard) Ziegler of Murray, Tammy (Jim) Tambe of Rochester; four grandchildren, Sean, Garson, Harlee, and Baby T; brother, Joseph (Dottie) Passaniti of West Virginia; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two sisters. He was a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam from 1959-1963 and was employed at Genesee Brewery. Funeral Services were held May 10 at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home, Holley. Interment Mt. Albion Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials can be made to the Fancher-Murray-Hulberton Emergency Squad. OGDEN •Hoff, Mary E., May 3, 2005 at age 97. Predeceased by her husband of 55 years Marcian E. Hoff. Survived by her children Marcian "Ted" (Judy) Hoff, Mary Lou (Allyn) Hetzke and John (Rebecca) Hoff; grandchildren Carolyn Hoff, Lisa (Cameron) Brett, Jill (Joe) Bistrain, Gretchen (Rick) Gillaspy, A.J. (Diana) Hetzke, Marc (Jen) Hetzke, Liesl (Jason) Toates and Roxanne (David) Lone; great grandchildren Ashleigh, Sara, Erin, Brenna, Olga, Anna, Karl, Margot, Eric, Jacob, Hana, Conner, Alex, Kyle and Kayla; sisters Margaret Kirwan and Florence Sullivan; many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was said May 6 at Holy Ghost Church, Gates. Interment Holy Ghost Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Covenant House, 460 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036 in her memory. SPENCERPORT •Maier, Justin C., May 3, 2005, at age 24, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his parents, Tim and Mary Maier and Sheri Francis; brother, "T"; his sisters, Vicky (Anthony) Rodriquez, Ashley, Amber (Chris); grandparents, Bill and Joan Maier, William Francis, Ginger (Eric), Angelo and Vicky Fico; one nephew, several aunts and uncles and cousins; and many special friends. A Funeral Mass was said May 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport. Memorial contributions can be directed to Kessler Family Brain Trauma ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave-nue, Unit 32800, Rochester, New York 14642.
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