Ellen J. Frankfather Payne

Ellen J. Frankfather Payne

KANONA – Ellen J. Frankfather Payne passed away Sunday (July 2,2023) at the home of her son, David in Bauxite, AR.

Born August 14,1931 in Corning NY to Harry and Delores (Bendle) Frankfather, she graduated from Corning Free Academy in 1949.

In 1954 she moved to Avoca, NY after purchasing The Antlers which she owned and operated until selling in 1979.  After selling she worked many years at the Tally-Ho in Kanona, NY. She also worked at the Betty Kay Bakery in Bath, NY, and The Office for the Aging in Bath where she retired at the age of 82.

She was a loving mother to five children. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and spending time with them. Nothing was more important to her than her family and friends. She loved working in her flowerbeds, doing many different crafts and reading mysteries. She enjoyed spending winters with her son, David, in Arkansas.  In the summer she enjoyed visiting her son, John, and his family wherever they were camping and at their camp on Wanetta Lake. She enjoyed traveling whenever she had she had a chance.

Her memory will live on in the many things she handmade for her family – the macrame Easter baskets and needlepoint stockings; her homemade fudge and peanut brittle that everyone looked forward to at Christmas along with the countless other gifts she made.

Ellen was predeceased by her parents, longtime companion, James Sherwood; sister, Mary Burger; granddaughter, Brittany; daughter-in-law, Rosalie Bliss and son, John N Payne.

She is survived by a sister, Jackie Causer; sons, Steven A Bliss (Deb) of Kentucky, Ronald Bliss of Corning, NY, David Bliss (Roberta Davis) of Arkanas and her daughter, Laurie Stevens of Bath, NY; daughter-in-law, Deb Payne of Campbell, NY and bonus daughter, Terrie Menzie (Tom) of Canada; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; several nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt Bea- a nickname given to her by one of her sisters.

To honor her request there will be no calling hours. There will be a private graveside service and she will be laid to rest at Valley View Cemetery in Avoca, NY. Friends are invited to a celebration of life on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Avoca American Legion on Main St in Avoca, NY

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Leukemia Foundation, Child Neurology at U of R in Rochester, NY, The Lupus Foundation or a charity of your choice.

The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., AVOCA is honored to assist Ellen’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Ellen are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.