Emily M. VanSkiver, two year old daughter of David & Tammy (Butler) VanSkiver of 6 Aber St., Canaseraga, received her wings Friday morning (December 30, 2011) after passing at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester following a long illness.

Emily, who was born on December 29, 2009, touched many lives during her two short years on this earth.  She was a “fighter” who struggled, yet fought every medical hardship that was thrown her way.  Emily had an infectious smile that could light up a room.  To know Emily was to love her.  Although she was only here for a short time, she was loved by everyone that was blessed to have known her and will never be forgotten.  She was surely an angel sent from heaven!!

Emily was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ernest & Catherine VanSkiver.

Surviving are her parents, David & Tammy VanSkiver of Canaseraga; her biological mother, Aaron Hutchinson & family of Hornell; her siblings, Brandon VanSkiver, Tyler VanSkiver, Natasha VanSkiver, Samuel Strickland and twin sister, Tegan VanSkiver; maternal grandparents, Harold & Lillian Kernan of Canaseraga; her aunts & uncles, Naomi Kernan, Jason (Karolyn) Kernan, Donald (Mary Kay) VanSkiver, Dean (Jane) VanSkiver, Darlene (Charles) Johnson, Duane (Mary Jo) VanSkiver, Darrell (Sandra) VanSkiver, Daniel VanSkiver & Dale VanSkiver; several cousins. 

Emily’s bright smile will also be remembered and sadly missed by all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and many special professionals & staff members from various agencies.  Her family will be eternally grateful all those who enriched Emily’s life.

At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours.  A Memorial Service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Emily’s name may be made to either the Tegan VanSkiver Trust Fund, C/O Naomi Kernan, 10264 Coombs Hill Rd., Canaseraga, NY 14822  or to the Ronald McDonald House Within the Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospitals, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box Ronald McDonald, Rochester, NY 14642 (585-276-5437).

Arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Anna M. Perry — AKA “The Avon Lady” — mother, grandmother, friend, Avon lady, bargain hunter and card player, of 39 Scott St., was called to walk with her Lord on Friday (December 30, 2011), while a resident at Hornell Gardens.

She was born in Mileses, NY on August 24, 1934, the youngest of three children, to the late William and Johanna (Winkler) Brown.

On June 8, 1957, she was married to Carl M Perry of Susquehanna, PA, who died in 1982, after 24 years of devoted marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brother James Brown.

Marilyn “Ruth” Gilmore – 80 – of 90 Seneca St., formerly of 21 Allen St., Hornell, died Friday afternoon (December 16, 2011) at Hornell Gardens where she had resided for the past 5 weeks.

Born in Hartford, CT on February 15, 1931, she was the daughter of Dewey & Martha Milliner.

A resident of Hornell for most of her adult life, Ruth had been employed as a housekeeper & receptionist for both Dr. John Kelly  &  Dr. James Kelly in Hornell for many years.  She also owned & operated a child day-care from her home for several years.

Ruth had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Hornell.  She enjoyed working on cross word puzzles, knitting & crocheting. 

Christopher R. “Chris” Norton – 59 – of County Route 121, Wayland, (Loon Lake), died unexpectedly at his home.

Born in Hornell on April 11, 1952, he was the son of Richard & Margaret (Fie) Norton.

Chris grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1970).  Following high school he enlisted in the US Army where he served from 1971-1974.  While serving in the US Army, Chris was stationed in Alaska and served as a medic.

For many years, Chris was self employed as a painter and drywall hanger.  He later earned his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Alfred University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.  He was very proud of the fact that he eventually became an Associate Professor at SUNY Alfred, teaching physics and electrical engineering.

George J. Cheresnowsky of 1143 Haskell Road, Hornell, died early Thursday morning (December 15, 2011) at his home, following a long illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Hornell, he was born August 26, 1931 and was the son of the late John & Anna (Shutowich) Cheresnowsky.

George was a graduate of Hornell High School (Class of 1951).  Following high school, he began working as a mason / bricklayer.  He was a veteran of the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany.

Following his discharge from the US Army, George continued his work as a mason / bricklayer.  He left his mark with his craftsmanship across the Southern Tier, having built many schools, colleges, office buildings and wineries.  George was a lifetime member of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craft Workers, receiving his Gold Card in 2001.

Darrin E. Kuker – (54) – of 233 Vincent St., Hornell, died Monday afternoon (December 5, 2011) at McAuley Manor, following a long illness.

Born April 25, 1957 in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of Dudley & Dolores (Novack) Kuker.

A resident of Hornell since the age of 5, Darrin was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1975).  Following high school, she attended Allegany BOCES where she majored in Cosmetology.

Darrin was employed for a time at The Americana Beauty Salon in Hornell.  For 13 years she was employed at the former Sears Store in Hornell — first as a “tele-typist” and later at the Sears Furniture Outlet.  For about 6 years she worked at the Hornell Humane Society as a general care-giver to the dogs & cats and for 18 ½ years was employed at the former P&C Grocery in Hornell as Bakery & Produce Clerk.

Angelina C. Devlin – 98 – of 390 Seneca Road, North Hornell, died early Tuesday morning (November 29, 2011) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a long illness.

Born in Olean on June 17, 1913, she was the daughter of Albert & Catherine (Ward) Kuhn.

Angelina resided in Hornell for most of her life and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1931).  She later received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from State Teacher’s College in Buffalo, NY. 

Her first teaching position was in a one-room schoolhouse in West Almond.  Throughout the years, Angelina taught elementary school in several locations including Canaseraga Central School, North Hornell School, St. Ann’s School, Lincoln School and Arkport Central School.  She retired in 1978.

Francis J. “Frip” Marino – (85) – of 348 Cleveland Ave., North Hornell, died early Saturday morning (November 26, 2011) at Rochester General Hospital, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on May 24, 1926, he was the son of Anthony & Rose Mary (Milanese) Marino.

Frip was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1944).  He was employed in many capacities for over 44 years at the former Erie Railroad, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad and Conrail.   For four of those years (1984-1988) his employment with the railroad forced him to live in Buffalo, but he was able to move back to Hornell in 1988.  He retired in 1989.

Noreen D. Hall – (78) – of 25 Williams St., Hornell, died Tuesday afternoon (November 8, 2011) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a Brief illness.

Born in Birdsall, NY on September 15, 1933, she was the daughter of Cash & Edith (Thomas) Davison.

Noreen grew up in Almond and was a graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School (class of 1951).  She later attended Hornell Business School.  She was employed for many years in the credit department of the former Sears & Roebucks Store in Hornell, retiring in 1978.

She had been a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church and later St. Ann’s Church.  Noreen was a former member of the Hornell Women of the Moose.  She enjoyed following Hornell High School sports and was an avid Buffalo Bills Football fan. 

Ruth L. Marcus – (96) – of 9350 State Route 36, Arkport, NY died Tuesday afternoon (October 18, 2011) at the Steuben County Health Care Facility in Bath where she received excellent care for the past 14 months.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 5, 1915, she was the daughter of William & Helen (Monaghan) Long.

Ruth grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1934).  She later graduated from Geneseo Normal School where she received her teaching degree.  For the next few years she served as a school teacher at several schools, including Columbian School, St. Ann’s School and in Bishopville, NY.

She was married on September 5, 1942 to Gordon Marcus.  Ruth took time off from her teaching career to raise a family.  In 1955, she returned to teaching and from 1955-1967 taught 2nd Grade at Arkport Central School. 

Ruth, along with her husband, owned & operated Knollwood Farms, where many children were introduced to English Horsemanship.  Ruth enjoyed the horse shows that followed and the events of the Belle Hollow Hunt Club.  She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Canaseraga where she and her family would often welcome new priests to their home for dinner and to enjoy themselves at Knollwood Farms.

In 1967 the family moved to New Jersey where Ruth taught 4th Grade in Lakehurst, NJ.  She retired in 1982 and returned to the Arkport area to be near her family.  She had been a member of several teachers’ organizations, including the Retired Teachers Association.  She enjoyed attending the annual luncheons, getting together with other retired teachers form the area. 

Ruth was a Buffalo Bills fan and enjoyed rooting for the Bills — especially during their glory years.  She enjoyed gardening and decorating her home.  She will be remembered as a very elegant woman by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, who died in 1975.  She was also preceded in death by her son, John W. Marcus who died in 1997; 2 brothers, John Long and William Long; 4 sisters, Mary Long, Carol Long, Helen Frantz and Katherine Reinhart.

Surviving are 3 daughters, Susan (Ken) Thompson of Arkport, Kathryn (Keith) Jamison of Pittsford and Mary Lee (Dick Muse) Marcus of North Hornell; 2 sons, Karl (Marjorie Antolik) Marcus of Sheridan, MT and Stephen (Gail Wechsler) Marcus of Arkport; her daughter-in-law, Susan (Wally) Jamison of Arkport; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

The family of Ruth L. Marcus will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church in Canaseraga with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canaseraga.

Ruth’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to the Steuben County Health Care Facility, 7009 Rumsey St. Ext.  Bath, NY 14810.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.