Hildegard Dorothea Hubig Lifgren Britton

1932 - 2015

LAURENS - Hildegard H. Britton of Laurens, passed away early Monday morning, August 10, 2015 at A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta. She was 83.

Born February 21, 1932, in Flushing, Long Island, she was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Louise Hubig, her sister, Charlotte DiMilia, her youngest daughter, Bettina Arlene Lifgren Bell-Puckett of Mexia, Texas, her first husband, Derwood K. Lifgren of Oneonta, and her second husband, Herchell Britton of Upland, California.

Ms. Britton was a 1949 graduate of Oneonta High School, and worked as a legal secretary in Delaware and Westchester Counties.

Before moving to Laurens, she was President of Springvale Women's Club in Crugers, held various officer positions in Professional Secretaries International - White Plains Chapter, Treasurer of Professional Women in Construction - NYC, Catskill Senior Fellowship Club, and Steuben Society of America - Yorktown Heights (over 35 years). She was a member of Rip Van Winkle Senior Citizens Club and Catskill Senior Fellowship, Springvale Senior Citizens Club and Cortlandt Senior Citizens Club. She was also very active on the Class of 1949 Reunion committees and volunteered at the Washington Irving Senior Center.

Ms. Britton is survived by two loving daughters, Sheryle Kaye Lifgren Charity (and Joseph Charity, where she resided in Laurens at the time of her death) and Christine Ellen Lifgren of Peekskill; her son-in-law, Bruce Puckett of Mexia, Texas; her loving grandchildren, Kisha N. Thompson (Adrian), Tommas J. Lifgren, Michael A. Bell (Victoria Meguin), Jaqueline Bell (Kendrick Clarke), Rachel Puckett and Tanya Lynch; and her loving great grandchildren, Haydn Pavon, Ella and Leah Thompson of Putnam Valley, Kira Lifgren, Haley and Michael Bell, Jr. of Catskill, Kendrick, Jr., Kristyin, Kameryn and Antonella Bettina Clarke of Hudson.

Hilde is also survived by her brother, Frederick K. Hubig, Sr. and sister-in-law Pauline Hubig of Washington, DC; her sister, Linda L. Adam of Poughkeepsie; her godson and nephew, John DiMilia (Diane); her nephews, Joseph DiMilia (Beth), Frederick Hubig, Jr., and Karl Hubig; her nieces, Tracy Adam Hinphy (Patrick) and Stephanie Adam Dyszler (Michael); grandnieces, Kathleen and Kimberly DiMilia and Marissa DiMilia; grandnephews, Joseph, Jr. and Corey DiMilia; great-grandnieces, Kathleen and Erin Hinphy; and great grandnephews, Timothy Hinphy and Brandon Dyszler. She is further survived by her very close friends for over 50 years, Lenore Janis and Rosa Valentini, along with her Oneonta High School classmates, Ann Lawton Putnam, John Rosher and Tom Lynch.

Hilde enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, and embroidery, and loved keeping up with her three "girls" and their families.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are under the care and 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

George W. Bassette

1923 - 2015

ONEONTA - Mr. George William Bassette, a former resident of Cooperstown and Rockville Centre, Long Island, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 2, 2015, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. He was 91.

Born December 13, 1923, in Wilmington, Delaware, George was the son of Malachi and Ivy Elizabeth (Murphy) Bassette. He was raised in New York City.  

A veteran of World War II, he proudly served his country in the U. S. Army. Following his military service, he married Barbara Gwendolyn McIntosh on June 18, 1950. After living for a time in New York City, George and Barbara moved to Rockville Centre on Long Island where they raised their family.

A graduate of Howard University, George was first employed by the New York City Housing Authority. He spent most of his career, though, as a civil engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration based at John F. Kennedy International Airport.  

In1997, George and his wife Barbara moved to the Cooperstown area. Following Barbara's death in 2002, George lived in several places and most recently was a member of The Plains at Parish Homestead community in Oneonta.

George will be fondly remembered for being a great family man, who was forever doting on his two daughters. The company of dogs and cats brought joy to his heart. He also had a spirit of adventure that led him in later years to earn a motorcycle license as well as a pilot's license, and he was an active downhill skier into his 80s.  

George is survived by his two daughters, Nannette Bassette of Charlotte, North Carolina and Lynda Bassette-Farone of Franklin. He will be greatly missed by his family, extended family and many friends.

George was predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Barbara; a son-in-law, Michael Farone; and cherished cat, Ray-Ray. 

A memorial service is being planned for later this year. For those who wish to remember George with a memorial gift, please consider his love of animals by donating to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are under the care and 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.