Adda Matilda Walczak

HAMMONDSPORT – Adda Matilda Walczak, 98.9, of Hammondsport, NY, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, September 23, 2025, at Highland Hospital ICU, Rochester, NY. She was born on October 16, 1926, in Mill Hall, PA, a daughter of the late Grover C. Aughenbaugh and Anna (Confer) Aughenbaugh Boone.

At the age of 4, Adda’s father passed from tonsillitis (pre-penicillin), leaving her mother with 6 young children to raise. Grover was a member of The Independent Order of the Odd Fellows (IOOF) that supported a farm-based orphanage for their children in Sunbury, PA. The four oldest children were taken by his IOOF lodge members to live at the orphanage. Adda, the youngest child accepted to date, arrived with a tiny suitcase and her little stuffed kitty. Eight years later, her two younger siblings joined her there. The children grew up with age-appropriate chores, attended the onsite school to the 8th grade, and took the bus to Sunbury High School. On Sundays, every child attended the onsite church, and lodge members transported them home for the holidays.

Adda was a 1945 graduate of Sunbury High School. Her first job was at the new Piper Aircraft plant in Lock Haven, PA, based on the innovative assembly line concept. Here she glued fabric on the wings of the J-3 Piper Cub WWII training planes.
When the Piper company went on strike, she traveled to Pulteney, NY, to help her sister Anna’s family during the delivery of their second child. Her brother-in-law, Harry, was active in the American Legion, and through him, she met a Legion buddy, Walter. They were married on June 7, 1946. Walter A Walczak Sr. preceded her in death on August 12, 1970.

Adda was employed by The Taylor Wine Company and the Bath Veterans Administration. Adda was an IOOF Rebecka, a former member of St. James Episcopal Church, and its women’s auxiliary in Hammondsport, NY. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout leader even after her daughters graduated. She volunteered at the Bath hospital gift shop. Adda supported many local volunteer organizations, an American Indian school, as well as several environmental groups.

Adda enjoyed growing and canning vegetables, tending her flower gardens, and feeding the birds. She loved reading her “Birds and Blooms” magazine, doing puzzles, playing board games, cards, and BINGO.

She is survived by daughter Irene M. Walczak (George), Boston, MA.; son Walter A. Walczak, Jr. (Julie), Pine City, MN; four grandchildren (Karen, Jill, Karl, Kevin), 3 great-grandchildren (Marabelle, Myla, Lyra), numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen A. Walczak; two brothers, Grover C. and Palmer L. Aughenbaugh; three sisters, Bessie McDonald, Anna Faust Liddick, and Caroline P. Moyer; four half-brothers, Harry and Chester N. Aughenbaugh; Kenneth D. Boon; Hugh W. Gummo; and two sisters-in-law, Ann Smolos and Stella Smolos.

Relatives and friends are invited to St. James Episcopal Church, Hammondsport, NY, on Saturday, October 18th, for calling hours from 12:00 to 12:30 PM, and a funeral service with communion at 12:30 with the Rev. Craig Hacker presiding. A luncheon will follow, with the location to be announced. Committal prayers and interment will be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Adda’s memory may be made to the St. James Episcopal Church General Fund.

Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, Hammondsport, is honored to assist Adda’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Adda are welcome below, or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

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