| Date of Birth | April 1, 1924 |
| Passed Away | January 7, 2008 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery |
JEANNE GRIFFIN DeGAETANO
HORNELL-Jeanne Griffin DeGaetano of 5 State St., passed away peacefully on Monday morning (Jan. 7, 2008) at the home of her daughter, Lynda O’Brien.
Born in Hornell on April 1, 1924, she was the daughter of the late John and Irene Jordan Griffin. On October 12, 1946 she was married to the late Matthew DeGaetano in St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell.
Jeanne was predeceased by Matthew, her husband of 54 years, her sister, Mary Whitford, her brother-in-law, Harry Whitford, her son-in-law, Roy Schumaker, her sisters-in-law, Yolanda DeGaetano Wiedman, Vincena DeGaetano Dodd and her brothers-in-law, Nicholas Daniels and Domenic Gallichio.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell.
Jeanne graduated from Hornell High School, class of 1942. She was employed at the former Rittenhouse, Floyd and Lurton Whiteman Law offices and the City of Hornell Police Department as the Seneca Street crossing guard for 19 enjoyable years. She also served as a Campfire and Bluebird Leader. Jeanne was a member of the PTA at the Lincoln and Irving Schools. For many years she was an active member of the Hornell High School Alumni Association.
She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother and was affectionately called “Grannie.” Some of her favorite times were at their summer home on Seneca Lake with all of her family, especially her two grandchildren. She greatly enjoyed making drawings for her family and friends, riding with her niece and sister in the “Grannie bus” and checking on her flowers and bird feeders around her home. Anyone who ever received her letters or thank you notes always complimented her beautiful handwriting.
Jeanne is survived by her daughters, Cynthia (Alan) Schultheis and Lynda (Dennis) O’Brien both of Hornell; her grandchildren, Matthew Schumaker of Ontario, NY and Dr. Bridget Colleen O’Brien of San Francisco, California; her great-grandchildren, Justyn Schumaker of Hornell and Emma Schumaker of Ontario; her brother-in-law, Vincent (Stella) DeGaetano, her sisters-in-law, Domenica DeGaetano Bridge, Mary DeGaetano Daniels, Julia DeGaetano Delany, Fran (James) Crain, Ann (Don) Potter and her very special niece, Susie (Ron) Mauro of Almond and their sons, Dr. John (Yihong) Mauro and Daniel Mauro; along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
To honor her wishes there will be no calling hours. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of her family. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to the Hornell High School Alumni Assoc., P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 or to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell.
I am sorry for your loss. I remember Mrs. Degaetano crossing my sister and myself every morning to go to Irving school when it first opened. Everyday she had a smile for us, her greeting was a great way to start the day.
Cindy and Lynda,
Great Grandma (as I call her) will be greatly missed. She was a wonderful lady and I was very blessed to be a part of her family for a short time. She was always very good to Justyn and he loved her very much. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. Degatino was a wonderful crossing guard for those of us walking to Irving School in the 60’s. She knew each of us by name, and was the first adult outside the classroom to admire our construction paper creations and handmade clay bowls. She was tuned into our emotions, too, and I remember late 1963 when she said every 6th grader was crying the day we were sent home because Pres. Kennedy had been shot. She will always live in my “growing up in Hornell” memories, and for her kindnesses and encouragement I am forever appreciative.
We are very sorry for your loss. Your mother was such a sweet lady. She will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Through the years of working for Jeanne my life was truly blessed. She was a loving and kind woman who spent time chatting with me and really taking time to listen. She is going to be so greatly missed and I will always remember her as such a true friend. God Bless her family and friends who were so fortunate to have such a wonderful person as a part of their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynda,
I was so sorry to read of your mother’s passing. I did not know her but she must have been a great lady to have raised such a teriffic teacher and mom! It’s never an easy time, but I’m glad you have family nearby to lighten the burden.