Barbara Ives Mook

 July 27, 1922 - October 18, 2011

COOPERSTOWN - Barbara Emma Ives Mook, 89, died Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, surrounded by her family.

She was predeceased by her husband, William H. Mook III. She is survived by her six children, Barbara Richards and her husband, Rob, of Mystic, Connecticut, Carolyn Mook of Cooperstown, Anne Frost and her husband, Chris, of Dobbs Ferry, Cleo Mook and her husband, Peter Collopy, of Troy, William H. Mook and his wife, Karen (Corwin) of Sheepscott, Maine, and Georgia Cosgrove and her husband, Sean, of Duxbury, Massachusetts. In addition she leaves nineteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bobbie was born in Walton July 27, 1922. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, entering high school at the age of 11 and graduating at 15. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse and received a full scholarship to nursing school at Columbia Presbyterian Medical School, which she had to defer until 1940 because she was so young. During her third year of nursing school, she met Bill, her husband of 64 years. They were married on October 9, 1943, and shortly after she began her first job as a licensed Registered Nurse, working as a visiting nurse for the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Service (later the Visiting Nurse Service of New York). She worked with low income families and recent immigrants, primarily serving new mothers and women with high risk pregnancies. She often reminisced about the valuable life lessons gained from practicing good nursing under the challenging conditions she often found in the homes she visited.

In 1944 Bobbie and Bill began their long life in Cooperstown. Bobbie was first and foremost a wonderful mother, and she was known and admired for her unflagging energy, many talents, and wide-ranging interests. She worked tirelessly to provide a rich family life. Bobbie came from a family of self-taught musicians and artisans and carried their legacy forward, passing that creative spirit on to her children and grandchildren. Bobbie and her husband, Bill, shared a love of jazz and were a striking couple on the dance floor. Bobbie loved singing and participated in many different singing groups, from barber shop quartets to oratorio choruses. She was an avid gardener, serving as president of the Lake and Valley Garden Club.

In 1960 she resumed her career, first as a visiting nurse and later as a nurse in various departments at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. After retiring from nursing in the late 1970s she became a partner in The Market Place, a specialty food store, with her daughter Cleo. In addition, she volunteered for many blood drives and blood pressure clinics and served on the board of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home. At the time of her death, Bobbie was the oldest member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown where she had been a trustee and active member of the congregation for many years.

After Bill's retirement, Bobbie and Bill enjoyed extensive travel and spent many happy hours with family and friends at their camp on Lake Otsego. Bobbie was the anchor for her large family, and her children and grandchildren treasure the memories of their returns to Cooperstown for holidays and special occasions, celebrated with lovingly prepared feasts and festivities.  

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bobbie's life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor, officiating. A gathering of friends and family will follow the service.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, 48 Grove Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Niles F. Curtis

May 28, 1940 - October 14,  2011

COOPERSTOWN - Niles F. Curtis, 71, passed away on Friday, October 14,  2011, in Cooperstown.

Niles was born May 28, 1940, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Henry G. Curtis, Sr. and Grace (Schweighofer) Curtis.

He married Nancy S. Michaels on February 18, 1961, at the Methodist Church in Honesdale, PA and earlier this year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

After graduating from Pleasant Mount High School in Pleasant Mount, PA - where he was president of his class -  he operated a dairy farm prior to entering the retail management program of GLF/Agway in 1963. He was assigned to store management positions in a variety of Central New York towns, eventually moving to Cooperstown in 1967, where he remained for the next 44 years. He managed the Cooperstown Agway store from 1967 through 1983 when he purchased the store and operated it as a family business until he sold the store in 1998 and retired.

Niles joined the National Guard in 1962 and served his country honorably in the Active Army Reserve until 1968. He was one of the original members of the Board of Directors of the Delaware-Otsego Railroad, and stepped down from that role in 2011 after 40 years of service to the D&O.

Throughout his entire life, Niles was a great outdoorsman, spending untold hours as an avid fisherman, an expert deer hunter, and a hands-on forest steward. He was a great sports fan and former baseball pitcher in his youth. Throughout his life he could be seen wearing the cap of his beloved Chicago Cubs, whom he followed religiously for 66 years and who never failed to disappoint him. For many years he was a fixture at the various sports events at the Cooperstown Central School and in 1986 was awarded the "Good Sport Award" by the Redskins Booster Club in recognition of his support of Cooperstown's sports programs and athletes.

His involvement in the community also included periods as a board member of the Cooperative Extension, a Little League coach, a member of the Lions Club, the Citizen Advisory Board of Bassett Hospital, and many other volunteer activities. He will be remembered for his integrity, wit, warmth and kindness, which made him a friend of many.

Niles is survived by his wife, Nancy (Michaels) Curtis; his son Scott A. Curtis of Cooperstown and children Aliza G. Curtis and Madeline M. Curtis of Roseboom; his son James T. Curtis, his wife Susan (Henderson) Curtis and their daughter Piper Curtis and son Kyle Curtis, all of Andover, MA; his daughter, Gretchen A. Curtis, also of Andover, MA; and his siblings, Patricia G. Lawrence, Annandale, VA; Henry G. (Susan) Curtis, Waymart, PA; and Charles D. Curtis, Pleasant Mount, PA.

He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Barbara Curtis, and two brothers, Edward Curtis, Jr. and Wilber (George) Curtis.

Friends and family are invited to call from 4 - 7 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home at 82 Chestnut Street in  Cooperstown, where the family will be in attendance.

Funeral services will be at 11 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown with the  Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor, officiating.

Immediately following the service, there will be a gathering of celebration for friends and family at the former Agway store at 28 Railroad Avenue in Cooperstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Springbrook, 2705 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Joan S. Smith

August 30, 1937 - October 10, 2011

COOPERSTOWN - Joan Sandra Smith, 74, of Cooperstown, died Monday morning, October 10, 2011, at Otsego Manor.

She was born August 30, 1937, in the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown,  a daughter of LeRoy F. and Gertrude E. (Spurbeck) Smith.

A graduate of Cooperstown Central School , Class of 1955, she later attended Albany Business College. For twenty-two years she was employed with Associated Industries of New York State, Inc. in Albany, where her expertise was in unemployment insurance as well as in working with state legislators in lobbying for businesses. In 1980 she retired and moved back to her native Cooperstown.

Joan is survived by her two brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger C. and Dorothy Smith of Cooperstown and Walter R. and Celia Smith of Westminster, Colorado; one aunt, Dorothy Smith Rousselot of Otsego Manor; five nieces and nephews; and eight grand nieces and nephews.

At the request of the family, services will be private.

For those who wish to memorialize Joan, please consider a donation to the Rolling Hills Activities Fund at Otsego Manor, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Jean E. Robinson

September 21, 1921 - September 22, 2011

WESTVILLE - Jean E. Robinson, of Westville and formerly of Johnstown, a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, died at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with her daughters by her side, on Thursday afternoon, September 22, 2011, the day after her 90th birthday.

Jean was born on September 21, 1921 in Milford, the daughter of Edward A. and Alberta M. (Luther) Francis. She married William E. B. Robinson on September 21, 1940 in the Worcester Methodist Church. Jean and Bill enjoyed 61 years of marriage until his death on July 17, 2002.

Jean was raised in Milford and graduated from the Milford Central School. Following her marriage, she and Bill first lived in Portlandville. After World War II they moved to Cherry Valley, where they raised their family while Bill taught school. In 1958 they moved to Johnstown where they lived until Bill retired in 1972. For the past 39 years Jean has lived in Westville, surrounded by her family.

She was an ardent and talented seamstress, making all her own clothes, clothing her children during their growing up years and making her daughters' wedding gowns. She also enjoyed crocheting, especially baby sets and afghans, and collecting and clothing old dolls.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Sybil J. Osterhoudt and her husband, Jeff of Westville and Nancy L. Hauck and her husband Dennis of Wilmington, Delaware; her son, Douglas W. Robinson and his wife JoAnna of Johnstown; eight grandchildren, Susan Osterhoudt, Jeanetta Osterhoudt, Robin Robinson, Edward Robinson, Bernadette Weaver and her husband Stacey, Sara Pineo and her husband Ross, Nathanael Hauck and his wife Paula and Laura Johnson and her husband Aaron; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Hugh L Francis and his wife, Donna, of Westville; several nieces and nephews; and her devoted cat, Merry Sunshine.

In addition to her husband, Jean was predeceased by her brother, Edward S. ("Bud") Francis who died June 13, 1948.

A funeral service to honor Jean's life was offered at 11 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown with Rev. Betsy Jay, chaplain at Bassett Medical Center, officiating. Burial followed in Westville Cemetery.

As an alternative to flowers, Jean's family suggests memorial donations be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Funeral arrangements were under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Selma D. Shepard

April 1, 1926 - September 19, 2011

FLY CREEK - Selma D. Shepard, a longtime resident of  Fly Creek, died Monday morning, September 19, 2011, at Otsego Manor.  She was 85.

Born April 1, 1926, at home in the Town of Oneonta, near West Davenport, she was the daughter of C. Burnett and Florence C. (Hoag) Deuel.

At the age of four, Selma and her family moved to Mount Vision. After graduating from high school, she began working as a nurses' aide at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in 1949.

On September 2, 1951 Selma married William Duane Shepard in a ceremony at the Bible Baptist Church in Mount Vision and in 1952 they settled in Fly Creek. That same year Selma decided to stay at home and take care of her home and family. It was during this time that the Shepards took in a total of six foster children. Selma later became a caregiver to the Clark family seamstress and then went back to work at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital as a senior nurses' aide, retiring in 1985. According to many, the patients always liked her.

Raised in the Baptist faith, she and her family all became members of the Fly Creek United Methodist Church when they moved to Fly Creek. She always maintained a special place in her heart for the Baptist Church, and in later years often attended the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown.

Selma is survived by one son, Duane William Shepard; one daughter, Diane; one son-in-law; one granddaughter; four sisters-in-law, Minnie Deuel, Lois Deuel,  Murl Gregory, and E. Jean Shepard; one brother-in-law, Dean F. Shepard; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Bill Shepard who died May 20, 2004; four brothers, Nelson Deuel who died in 1941, Merle G. Deuel who died in 1984, Harold M. Deuel who died in 1993 and Neelan E. ("Neel") Deuel who died in 2008.

Friends called at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 2 - 4 PM on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

A funeral service was offered at the funeral home at 2 PM on Thursday, September 22, 2011 with the Rev. Douglas Deer, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, officiating. Burial followed in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, Fly Creek.

As an alternative to flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse. NY 13220.

Funeral arrangements were under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.