North Hornell, NY / Dansville, NY
Mary K. Hetrick – 92 – formerly of Dansville, NY, died Tuesday afternoon (April 9, 2024) at Elderwood at Hornell Nursing Facility in North Hornell where she had resided for the past 10 years.
Born in Rochester, NY on February 4, 1932, she was the daughter of Richard & Grace (Laraby) Knitter.
Mary grew up in Brighton, NY and was a graduate of Brighton High School (class of 1950). She had been employed at Kodak Corporation for many years and later served as a switchboard operator at Industry School in rush, NY.
She was an avid reader (especially paperback “Romance Novels”) and throughout the years enjoyed working in her flower garden. She also enjoyed crafts attending ceramic classes and creating ceramic pieces.
Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Clara Horn and her brother, Edward Knitter.
Surviving are her daughter, Pam (Jeff) Gaudioso of Dansville; 3 granddaughters, Tanya (Nelson) Tatu, Nicole (Joe) Jerome and Lindley (Chad) Conte; 8 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; along with other family members.
At Mary’s request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Mary’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
Hello Pam – I am your second cousin (my name is now Karen J. Thomas-O’Dowd) and your mom was my first cousin. I don’t know if you remember me, but I certainly remember you. My Mother Dorothy Laraby Dowd, one of the 4 sisters of your Grandmother, my Aunt Grace Laraby Knitter. My siblings are Kathleen, Kevin, Keith, and Kimberly.
I want to share my sincere sympathies on the loss of your Mother. Your Mom and Jo were very important to us in our youth. Our Mom died in June, 1961 and we four younger kids stayed with Jo during the week and at your house on weekends from March 1 to June 30, 1961 while Aunt Grace took care of our Mom in between hospital stays. I will always be great fun for the care your Mom, your Aunt, and your Grandmother provided our Mom and the four of us during those difficult and heartbreaking days.
I’d love to talk with you sometime and ‘catch up’ on these last 63-years. I adored your Mom and Jo and I’m sad to learn they have passed. When did Jo die? And you have quite a large family of your own!
Again, I extend you sympathies on your loss.
Your cousin, Karen (I still remember you were born on New Year’s Day)