Jeanne Griffin DeGaetano

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.