Virginia Foote

1932 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN - Virginia Foote, 85, of Cooperstown, passed away February 20, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.

She was born April 16, 1932, in Mahopac, the youngest of the seven children of John and Alvina (Blumer) Deinhardt. 

Virginia was a 1950 graduate of Mahopac High School. A dedicated homemaker while her children were young, Virginia then worked in retail prior to joining the Reader’s Digest magazine until her retirement.

In 1989, Virginia moved to Cooperstown to be near her daughter and worked at The Brookwood School as well as Moon Dreams Gift Emporium. She was an avid reader, cat lover, flower gardener, and especially enjoyed spending time with family. 

Virginia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and David Bliss of Cooperstown; daughter-in-law Carol Votta; and five grandchildren, Jennifer Rudemyer, Steven (Jackie) Rudemyer, Rachel (Kyle) Bliss Grup, Eric Bliss and Ethan Bliss, as well as great granddaughters Olivia Renaud and Kasey Grup, several nieces and nephews and her extended “Bliss Family”. 

Virginia was predeceased by her first husband, Andrew Rudemyer, her second husband, Robert Foote, her son, John Rudemyer, and all of her siblings.

At her request there will be no services.

As a way to remember Virginia, her family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the family. 


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.

Evelyn J. Gray

1939 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN – Evelyn J. Gray, 78, of Cooperstown, passed away late Monday night, February 12, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.

A native of Cooperstown, she was born March 15, 1939, one of 13 children of Orlando and Nellie M. (Page) Bridger.

Evelyn lived her entire life in the Cooperstown area, and for 30 years was employed by Eric Hill as a clerk for the Farm and Home Bargain Center located in The Stables on Main Street. She also worked for a time at Ron Brown’s factory store in the Doubleday Field parking area.

Not one to join clubs and organizations, Evelyn instead took great pleasure in spending time with her family, and especially enjoyed playing cards with them.

Evelyn is survived by four children, Barry D. Gray and his wife, Brenda Wedderspoon-Gray of Cooperstown, Brenda Lee Gray of Walton, Pamela Madrid of San Antonio, Texas and Bonnie Garcia of Lancaster, California; six sisters, Hilda Pomeroy of Fulton, Elizabeth O’Brien and Mildred Jennings of Cooperstown, Cora Petrucco of Cortland, and Wanda Laymon and Lois Smith of Toddsville; and many many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Gordon “Gordie” Lee Gray who died June 12, 2017; her two sisters, Gladys Welch and Wilma Higgins Dyer; and her four brothers, Chester, Herman, Frederick and David Bridger.

At her request there will be no services.

For those who wish to remember Evelyn with a memorial donation, please consider the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY  13326, and the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, 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.

Barrie McKennan Boyle

1936 - 2018

ONEONTA - Let us all remember the life of Barrie McKennan Boyle, who passed away at home on the morning of Feb. 12, 2018, following a prolonged illness.

Barrie was the fourth child and second son of William Pickard Boyle and Jesse Jane McKennan. He was born Feb. 13, 1936, in Mt. Kisco and was raised in nearby Briarcliff Manor.

Barrie graduated from Ossining High School in 1954 and then relocated to Hinman Hollow in Otsego County. While there, he met his first wife, Harolyn Alyce Hilton of Pulaski. They were married in January 1959 and settled in Cooperstown where Barrie found work at Bassett Hospital, his employer until his retirement in 1998.

Barrie and Harolyn had two children, John Mirrell, born August 1963 and Ellen McKennan, born April 1965.

Amicably divorced from Harolyn in 1971, Barrie was married to Florence Kyser of Oneonta from 1980 until her passing in 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Barbara and Virginia; and his daughter, Ellen.

Barrie leaves behind his brother, William of Medina, Ohio; his son, John of Alameda, California; stepsons, Randall Kyser of Tallahassee, Florida and Ronald Kyser of St. Paul, Minnesota; and stepdaughter, Kathleen Daniels of Lost Creek, West Virginia; as well as a dozen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist will be offered at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, in St. Agnes Chapel at Christ Church, Cooperstown, with Father Dane E. Boston officiating.

Interment beside his daughter and wife will be in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.

Friends and family may call to pay their respects from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, 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.

Barbara Louise Couture

1946 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN - Barbara Louise Couture, a former resident of Kew Gardens Queens, Walton, and most recently Cooperstown, passed away Wednesday night, February 7, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. She was 71.

Born June 14, 1946, in Fall River Massachusetts, she was a daughter of Arthur and Rita (Ferland) Couture.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Stony Brook University, Barbara went on to become an accomplished nurse. Her career spanned nearly 40 years having worked at Bassett Hospital, Fox Hospital, Albany Medical Center and later as a hospital nursing administrator for Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens where she served for 18 years. In 2007, she moved to Walton where she worked at Delaware Valley Hospital until she retired in 2013. 

A talented artist, for the last 20 years Barbara lived her passion, devoting herself to painting. She had formal studies in oils with renowned artist, former creative director of Tomson Leeds, teacher and lecturer, Rick Buchanan in New York City. She was a member of the Art Students League and studied drawing with Anthony Palumbo, oil painting with Frank Mason, and watercolor with Irwin Greenberg. Her work has shown at the Art Students League galleries, The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Sego Café in Oneonta, and the Bright Hill Center in Treadwell. Her works are included in numerous private collections. She also taught privately for 12 years in New York City and Oneonta.

Barbara is survived by her four children, Michael A. Perrino and wife, Colleen, of Cooperstown, Christopher S. Perrino of Brooklyn, Matthew C. Perrino of Selden and Laurel E. Perrino of Manhattan; five grandchildren, Ashley, Michael, Danielle, Meaghan and Matthew; and her three siblings, sister Leslie Levy of Palm City, Florida, and brothers Brian and Bruce Couture of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She was predeceased by one sister, Lindell Couture.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2018, at the Michael J. Grant Funeral Home, 3640 Route 112, Coram. 

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram, where she will be laid to rest with her mother.

Memorial donations may be made to CCS Friends of Music and Art (FOMA), c/o Cooperstown Elementary/High School, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326. 

Local 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.

Joann M. O'Brien

COOPERSTOWN - Joann M. O'Brien, 59, of Cooperstown, passed away following a valiant battle with cancer Sunday morning, February 4, 2018, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born in Port Chester, one of three daughters of Joseph Alan and Dolores (Miller) Theriault. A graduate of Mamaroneck High School, she later served as a bus driver in New Rochelle.

After moving to Cooperstown, Joann worked for a time with Head Start, and later did house cleaning and babysitting. Prior to her illness, she was employed as a sales assistant for Mirabitos. 

A communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown she was also a faithful member of the Cooperstown Fire Department.

Her perseverance and positive attitude through ten long years with cancer was inspirational. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. 

Joann is survived by her long-time faithful companion, Jerry "Jiggs" Monroe of Cooperstown; one son, Joseph O'Brien and his partner, Gabrielle Santoro of East Springfield; two daughters, Michelle Reckeweg of Springfield Center; and Janet O'Brien of Laurens; six grandchildren, Brianna, Emily, Brendan, and Kristin ("Buttercup") Reckeweg, and Alexis and Isabella ("Peanut") Furlan; two sisters, Allison Cacciola and husband, Carl of New Rochelle and Patricia Theriault of Shirley; her father's companion Dottie Payne of City Island; and many aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Dolores Theriault, who died June 26, 1999, and her father, Joe Theriault, who died August 27, 2017.  

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 8, 2018, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.

Burial will be later this Spring in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Joann's family would be greatly appreciated, and may be mailed to 279 Main Street, 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.

Mildred W. Lehman

1921 - 2018

ONEONTA - Mildred W. "Mimi" Lehman, formerly of Cooperstown, passed away Friday evening, February 2, 2018, in her residence at St. James' Manor in Oneonta. She was 96. 

When we discussed our mother's obituary with her, she responded, "just say she died". We feel the need to elaborate on that a little.

A native of Delaware County, she was born November 2, 1921, in Trout Creek, one of six children of Clair L. and Mildred (Drake) Whitaker.  

After graduating from Delaware Academy in Delhi in 1939, Mimi attended the State Teachers College in Oneonta, and graduated from there with a bachelor's degree in education in 1943. 

Her first teaching position was in Baldwin on Long Island, where she taught for two years. In 1945 she moved to Cooperstown and began teaching 3rd grade at Cooperstown Elementary School. She later taught 2nd grade, and retired from teaching in 1976. 

Soon after she moved to Cooperstown, Mimi met Carroll Barnes Lehman, who had just started teaching science in the school system.  On April 12, 1947, they were married in a ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, and then settled into their home on Walnut Street where they raised their three children. 

Mimi was a member and former Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, and after moving to Oneonta attended the First United Presbyterian Church (The "Red Door" Church). She was also a member and Past Regent of the Otsego Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the Cooperstown Women's Club, and volunteered for over 20 years at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. In her leisure she enjoyed bowling and was on several area leagues. 

Mimi is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Werther of Latham and Barbara Rothermel and husband, Otto, of Oneonta; one son, Thomas Lehman and wife, Carolyn of Westminster, MA; eight grandchildren, Kimberly and Jay Werther, Jonathan, Brian and Kara Rothermel, and Thomas, Jennifer and Danielle Lehman;  eight great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Carroll, who died August 3, 1999, as well as all of her siblings, Dr. John Ogden Whitaker, DDS, LaVerne Whitaker, Annie Laurie Robinson-Ludington, Helen Whitaker Greene and Wanita W. Lewis.

A Memorial Service will be offered at 12 Noon Saturday, February 10, 2018, at the First United Presbyterian Church (The "Red Door" Church), 2 Walling Avenue, Oneonta, with the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Walton Leavitt, pastor officiating.

Mimi will be laid to rest later this Spring in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Carroll B. Lehman Memorial Science Award, c/o Cooperstown Central School, 39 Linden Avenue, 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.