Lynn Richards Jones

1943 - 2021

COOPERSTOWN – Lynn Richards Jones, a folk artist well-known for her intricate scissor cuttings, passed away peacefully Friday evening, January 22, 2021, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was 77. Like many loving couples who have spent their lives together, it might be said that Lynn died of a broken heart following the death of her husband of 53 years, David Jones, less than six months ago on July 28, 2020. 

Lynn Meredith Richards was born April 10, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, a daughter of Cooperstown natives William “Will” George Richards and the former Wanda Olmstead. At the time she was born the family was living in Baltimore where her father was employed by Martin Aircraft. Following his military service, the family moved back to Cooperstown, where Lynn was raised and graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1961. She furthered her education by attending SUNY New Paltz, Hartwick College, and graduated with honors from SUNY Cobleskill from the Nursery Education program. 

While living in Cooperstown, Lynn met David Jones, whose family had moved to Cooperstown in 1947, not long after his father, Louis Clark Jones, Ph.D., was named Director of the New York State Historical Association. On August 27, 1966, Lynn and David were married at The Cornwallville Church at The Farmers’ Museum. Following the ceremony, they rode by oxcart to Bump Tavern for the reception. 

In 1971, Lynn and David and their family moved to the Millbrook School in Millbrook where David taught English. In 1976 the family moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where David taught at St. Andrew’s School. They both loved being dorm parents, and Lynn served in several other capacities at the school. Following a tragic bicycle accident in 2001 that seriously injured David, the couple returned to Cooperstown in 2004 and made their home on Elm Street. 

A largely self-taught artist, Lynn was accomplished in the paper art of Scherenschnitte. When she was a girl, her paternal grandfather taught her the skills that she would develop into “scissor cutting” as an adult. She was encouraged by her husband, family, friends, and her husband’s students and developed as an artist through their support. Through the years her work was displayed in museums, including the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and she was commissioned by Creative Playthings to design a Christmas store window and shopping bag.

Lynn truly enjoyed Cooperstown and often recalled fond memories of growing up in the Village. For a time she followed in her mother’s footsteps and served as a guide at the Fenimore House and also demonstrated spinning and weaving at The Farmers’ Museum. Her love of history and genealogy led her to be active in the Otsego Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (the DAR), which was realized through a descendant who served during the American Revolution. In a 2010 interview for the Cooperstown Graduate Program Community Stories program she said, “I love being here. It’s a small town, and it’s very true: you can take the girl to the city, but you can't take the small town out of her.”

Lynn is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew William Richards Jones, MD and Cora Vegafria Jones of Cooperstown, and Jeremy Louis Clark Jones and Katherine Janiec Jones, Ph.D. of Boiling Springs, SC; four grandchildren, Phoebe Lynn Emerson Jones, Isabella Grace Richards Jones, William David Maxwell Jones, and Molly Foard Jones; a sister, Elisabeth Richards Jerson and husband, Robert L. Jerson of Springfield Center; a sister-in-law, Carol Loomis of Winthrop, MA; and several nieces and nephews. 

Later this year Lynn and David will be laid to rest in the Pickens Family plot in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

Lynn loved animals and gave a home to many throughout her life. As a way of remembering Lynn, please consider a memorial gift to the Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. 

Arrangements are under the care of 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.

Bernice T. Marlette

1922 - 2021

MOUNT VISION – Bernice T. Marlette, a life-long resident of Mount Vision, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, January 24, 2021, at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta, on her 99th birthday. 

She was born Bernice May Tilley on January 24, 1922, at home in Lena, the daughter of Lynn Jehiel Tilley and Veda Marian Fuller Tilley. Raised in the Town of New Lisbon, she graduated from Laurens Central School. 

On April 17, 1941, Bernice married Kendall Carfield Marlette in a ceremony at the Marlette homestead in Mount Vision. She devoted her life to raising their family and caring for their home on Pleasant Valley Road. As their children got older, she went to work as a clerk at J.J. Newberry’s and Farm and Home in Cooperstown. 

For many years she was a devoted member of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church. 

Her greatest joy was her family and having them around her. Her grandchildren spent as much time as they could get away with at Nana and Poppy’s house and she (Nana) spent many hours helping babysit most of her great grandchildren.

Bernice is survived by four daughters, Jennie May Folts of Scottsdale, Arizona, Marilynn M. Folts of Toddsville, Donna Miller of Mount Vision, and Gloria Beers and husband, Bradley of Mount Vision; two sons, Gerald Marlette and wife, Lora of Mount Vision, and Jerry Marlette and wife, Christie of Unadilla; 19 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and four nieces, and several grand nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Bernice was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Kendall C. Marlette, who died February 19, 2001; two grandsons, Craig Ronald Folts who died January 19, 1998, and Mark David Reuter who died December 8, 2014; two sons-in-law, Ronald C. Folts who died July 26, 2010, and David Miller who died February 28, 2019; a brother, Lloyd Milton Tilley who died December 15, 2002, and his wife, Anna who died November 24, 2010; and a brother-in-law, Howard S. Marlette who died May 23, 2004, and his wife, Diana I. Marlette, who died March 19, 2019. 

She will be laid to rest with her husband later this Spring in the Mount Vision Cemetery.

The Marlette Family extends a special thank you to all the caregivers on Unit 1 at A.O. Fox Nursing Home. 

Memorial donations may be directed to the A.O. Fox Resident Activity Fund, ico Robin Voorhis, Director of Activities, 1 Norton Avenue, 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.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Visitation and Service Policies

For 95 years, the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home has remained deeply committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve, as well as to the health and well-being of our fellow citizens, the families we serve and our associates.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, we are continuing to stay up to date with any changes to state and federal requirements related to funeral service and we will incorporate those changes into our operations. We will also continue to take certain precautionary measures in all we do in line with those recommended to us by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Bureau of Funeral Directing and the New York State Funeral Directors Association. 

As we enter Phase 4 of the re-opening process for our region, public visitations are allowed. However, indoor gatherings, including visitations and funeral and memorial services are limited to 33% of the maximum capacity of a particular area at a time.  Social distancing measures are still in effect, so a distance of 6 feet must be maintained amongst all individuals at all times, unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance (e.g. pallbearing) or the individuals are members of the same household. We are also mandated to prohibit holding or shaking hands of members in different households during services, and it is required that all those who enter the funeral home wear a face covering at all times. Whilst the ability to hold services in a church will depend on each church’s opening status, graveside services can be arranged but are limited to no more than 50 people in attendance.

Travel Advisory: For information relative to current travel advisories, please visit the New York State Department of Health web site at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.

Please take care of yourselves and each other, and know that we are here to serve you in your time of need.  

Peter A. Deysenroth 
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Owner and Licensed Manager

Note: If you are looking for the obituary of a specific person, please use the list of names at right.

Max E. Lewis

1952 - 2021

FLY CREEK VALLEY – Max Emory Lewis, 68, of Fly Creek, passed away at his home Saturday, January 2, 2021, with his son and longtime friend at his side.

Born January 29, 1952, at home in East Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, Max was one of five children of Geraldine Elizabeth McWilliams and Richard Millard Lewis. Raised in Pennsylvania, he graduated with the Class of 1970 from Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove.

As a foreman for Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Mac came to the area in 1986 to install the bowling alleys at the new Alfred Corning Clark Gymnasium; he loved the area and decided to make Fly Creek his home with his family. A Union Carpenter most of his life, Max installed bowling equipment and travelled often for his work. In 2000, he and his son, Anthony, started A&M Bowling, a venture they ran until 2007. Max was a retired member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 2287 Resilient Floor Coverers. 

He is survived by his son, Anthony Lewis and wife, Jennifer of Mount Vision; his daughter, Melissa Koren and husband, Frank (JR) of Laurens; and four grandchildren, Brock and Kayla Lewis and Cadence and Gavin Koren, as well as his longtime friend Debbie Barton. He is further survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nina and Jay Poe of Carlisle, PA and Wendy and Kurt Good of Atglen, PA and a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jean Lewis of Virginia Beach, VA and their families. 

He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Lewis. 

In his leisure, Max enjoyed his collection of old tractors, and had a special place in his heart for the John Deere A originally owned by his father. He also enjoyed his 1938 Ford stake body truck and 1948 Whizzer. 

A visitation will be held privately. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Max’s honor to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, 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.

Dorothy Mae McKenzie Carter

1924 - 2020

COOPERSTOWN – Dorothy Mae McKenzie Carter, 96, died December 29, 2020, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. 

Born May 28, 1924, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, she was a daughter of Roy and Thora (Thomas) McKenzie. 

For many years she was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Joan Esther Carter Bruneau and husband, Wilfred Roland Bruneau; a son-in-law, Joseph David Anthony Valdez; seven grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is further survived by two brothers, Leslie McKenzie and George McKenzie and wife, Donna; sister Barbara Johnson and husband, Norman, and their families. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Royal Albert Carter who died October 10, 2006; a daughter, Jean Elizabeth Carter Valdez: a sister, Beth Penny; and a brother, Lyle McKenzie.

Friends are invited to pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021. With respect for current COVID-19 restrictions and regulations, all attending must wear a face mask or covering and observe proper physical distancing. Due to current regulations that only permit a certain number of people in the funeral home at one time, please be prepared to wait outside before entering.

Burial will be later in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens, Columbia, SC. 

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.