Jocelyn A. Rauscher

1942 - 2020

COOPERSTOWN – In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 16, 2020, Jocelyn A. Rauscher, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away unexpectedly due to cardiac-related issues at her home with her husband by her side. She was 78.

A native of Scotland, she was born January 26, 1942, in Edinburgh, a daughter of the late William Ferguson Jack and Gwendolyn Hurdle Jack. Educated in the United Kingdom, she was employed in England as a Registered Nurse.

On April 3, 1971, she married Andrew Rauscher, M.D. in a private ceremony in East Sheen, Surrey, UK. 

Jocelyn was an enthusiastic bird watcher, avid gardener and talented artist specializing in painting, doll making and pottery. She loved to create paintings of English cottages, meadows and bluebell woods, all memories of her upbringing in England. She was very giving to her family and to the community. She opened her home to others, and they became part of her extended family. Jocelyn was also a skillful chef, creating new recipes for her family who always appreciated tasting her delicious creations. A talented horse rider, she passed on this passion to her daughter, and recently became involved with her hobby farm. In her free time, she volunteered at the Bassett Cancer Clinic and was a hospice volunteer helping ease the pain of others during their battles with cancer, as she was a two-time survivor herself. 

Jocelyn is survived by her husband of 48 years, Andrew Rauscher, M.D.; their five children, Daniel and Jeanne Rauscher of Haddam, Connecticut, Rebecca Nichols and fiancé Andre Mills of Westford, Massachusetts, Pilarin Nichols of North Andover, Massachusetts, Jemma Rauscher and John Dinnenn of Cooperstown, and Annabel Rauscher of Chelmsford, Massachusetts; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Alex, Laura, Liam, Maeve, Emily, Brendan and Finnigan; a sister-in-law, Marya Parker of England; and a long list of lifelong friends. A lifelong lover of animals she leaves behind Bodie, Ozzie, and her cat Freddy.

While there will be no service or gathering at this time, please remember the times you spent with Jocelyn, smile, and know that she is at peace. A celebration of life will be planned in the future.

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Jocelyn, her family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Susquehanna SPCA or the Salvation Army. 

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.

Rocco J. Lauria

1936 - 2020

HARTWICK – Rocco Joseph Lauria, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, passed away late Tuesday morning, April 14, 2020, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. He was 84.

Born January 25, 1936, in Utica, he was the son of Rocco and Norma (Bice) Lauria. After graduating with the Edmeston Central School Class of 1954, Rocco served for three years with the New York Army National Guard. 

On April 14, 1956, Rocco married the former Louise Bunn in a ceremony at the parsonage of the Mount Vision Methodist Church. 

Throughout his life, Rocco always enjoyed working at anything to do with the land. In later years, he especially enjoyed vegetable gardening and selling his produce at a roadside stand near his home. His gregarious nature led him to be able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone he met. 

Rocco also had a competitive side to his personality, which was quite evident when he played golf, a sport he truly loved. He also enjoyed deer hunting.
Rocco was a member of the Hinman Hollow Grange, and was a faithful member of the Hartwick United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed leading the hymn singing for services. 

Rocco is survived by his wife of 64 years, Louise B. Lauria of Hartwick; two daughters, Melody Ainsworth and husband, Chris of Rochester, Minnesota, and Teresa Hickling and husband, Brian of Edmeston; three sons, Brian Lauria of Hartwick, Jeffrey Lauria and wife, Dana of Erieville, and Kevin Lauria of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire; nine grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Doris Gould and husband, Bud of New Berlin, and Dolores Maxson and husband, Bob of West Edmeston, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents Rocco and Norma Lauria, Rocco was preceded in death by two great grandchildren, Mea Grace Stoecklin who died September 24, 2019, and Kyle Joseph Seamon who died March 26, 2020, and a sister, Philemena (Phyllis) Janet Tufts who died November 3, 2012. 
While there will be no services at this time, please remember the times you spent with Rocco, smile, and know that he is at peace. 

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Rocco, his family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Hartwick United Methodist Church, PO Box 44, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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.

Eleanor B. Kallan

HARTWICK – Eleanor B. Kallan of Hartwick died April 13, 2020, at home.

Eleanor was born in West Meredith, the daughter of Harry and Verna M. Benedict.

She was a graduate of A.L. Kellogg Central School in Treadwell and Delhi Tech in Delhi.

Eleanor was employed at MI Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown from 1946 to 1958.

In August 1957, she was married to Thomas W. Kallan, Sr. of Hartwick. Eleanor was a 67 year resident of the Town of Otsego.

She was a member and former treasurer and trustee of the Hartwick United Methodist Church. She was also a longtime member and a director of the Cooperstown Criterion Club.

Eleanor assisted her husband on the family dairy farm and with his feed and fertilizer business. She was also a volunteer at MIB Hospital for several years.

She is survived by her four children, Kim, Kay, Thomas Jr. (Susan) and Timothy (Bonneda); six grandchildren, Peter (Lauren), Alison, Mallory, Nicholas, Wyatt and Sloane; and two great grandchildren, Graham and Lilah. Also surviving are two brothers, Ralph (Sandy) and Lynn (Elaine), sisters-in-law, Jean (Ferd) and Ann, in addition to several nieces, nephews, cousins and a special group of friends. 

She was predeceased by her husband, son-in-law Robert, brother Alton and sister Dorothy.

If desired, a memorial donation can be made to the Hartwick United Methodist Church, PO Box 44, Hartwick, NY 13348 or to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Burial will be in the Hartwick Cemetery.

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.

Martha S. Beals

1928 - 2020

COOPERSTOWN – Martha S. Beals, 91, of Cooperstown passed away Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2020, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown as the result of a recent stroke.

She was born November 12, 1928, in Danby, a daughter of Andrew J. and Marian (Page) Scott. Following her graduation from Ithaca High School, Martha was employed as a secretary in the dairy department at Cornell University. It was there she met Harlo Peabody Beals, Jr., a native of Cooperstown, and the two were united in marriage on September 17, 1949, in Ithaca. Following Harlo’s graduation from Cornell in 1950, Martha devoted her time to raising their family. In 1969 the Beals family moved to Cooperstown when Harlo became a principal in the McEwan Hardware Corporation. Martha worked for Arthur T. Peevers at his insurance agency, and later owned the Montgomery Ward Agency while also working as a bookkeeper and tax preparer on her own as well as for H&R Block.

During their years in Cooperstown, Martha attended the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown and enjoyed playing Bridge, both at the Clark Sports Center and The Otesaga. 

Martha is survived by one son, Stephen L. Beals and Stacy of Cooperstown; one daughter, Susan M. Beals of Cuyler; a daughter-in-law, Kathie Beals of Parish; two foster daughters, Tina Parks and Dale Hendricks of Cooperstown and Nancy Parshall and her husband, Carl ("Pete"), of Morris; and13 grandchildren, Gabe Beals; Melanie Bobowski Wadenstein and her husband, Mattias, Jessica Bobowski, Elizabeth Soutar and her husband, Gordon, Sarah Roberts and her husband, Joseph, Kyle Beals and his wife, Brandy, Kory Beals and his wife, Kelly, Laurie Butts and her husband, John, Carrie Warner and Jamie Parson, Jillian LaBadia and her husband, Joey, Neil Parshall, Christine Gates and her husband, Dan, and Justin Young. Martha also enjoyed her 21 great grandchildren, Ronin Mooney and Tala MacKay, Margaret, Olivia, Caitlin, Emily and Adam Roberts; Jackson Beals; Wyatt and Allison Butts, Hailey James, Karli Warner and James and Madison Parson, Isabelle LaBadia; Jay, Shelly and Abby Gates; and Brandon, Madison and Melanie Young. Martha also has a sister-in-law, Ruth Scott, of Trumansburg, and several nieces and nephews and their children. 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Harlo, who died July 28, 2014; a son, Kevin S. Beals who died November 21, 2016; and a brother, Andrew J. Scott, Jr. 

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown. 

Memorial donations may be directed to the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or to The Rotary Club of Cooperstown for the benefit of the Youth Exchange Program, PO Box 993, 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.