| Date of Birth | March 10, 1940 |
| Passed Away | June 1, 2014 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | June 7, 2014 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | United Presbyterian Church |
| Interment Location | Rural Cemetery |
MARY L. “PEG†HOVER
HORNELL-Mary L. “Peg†Hover, 74, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning (June 1, 2014) at her home on Riverside Drive.
Born in Hornell on March 10, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Hazel Hafner Bash. On August 20, 1960 she was married in Hornell to James Hover, who predeceased her on June 4, 2001 after nearly 41 years of marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her brother, Emmett Bash and her sister, Edna Kohnke.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Peg was a graduate of Hornell High School where she was the valedictorian of the class of 1957. She also attended the University of Rochester and Alfred University and received a Master’s degree in education.
Peg was employed as a teacher for the Hornell City School District, Alfred-Almond Central School and retired from Arkport Central School. After retiring, she graduated from Alfred State College where she received an Associate’s degree in Nursing and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She was employed as a Registered Nurse for Southern Tier Hospice, Hornell Gardens and as a substitute school nurse for the Hornell City School District and Arkport Central School.
She was a very active member of the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell where over the years she served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, director of the children’s choir and was a member of the adult choir. Peg was also a member and past-president of the Arkport Exchange Club, was instrumental in forming the Ecology Club at Arkport Central School, and also served as a group leader for educational tours to Europe.
Music played a large role in Peg’s life, but among her other interests were her love of animals, gardening and knitting; in fact, Peg probably knitted well over 100 of her ‘famous’ Christmas stockings for family and friends over the years. She was often considered as an adventure seeker and was willing to do just about anything, including sky diving at the age of 72. Peg will be remembered most of all for being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Her loving family includes her four children, Dr. Jim (Sandy) Hover of Almond, Carol Hover of Hornell, Kathy (Frank) Ames of Saranac, N.Y. and Rick (Amy) Hover of Canton, Ohio; her five grandchildren, April (Greg) Bundrick, Andrew Hover, Elizabeth Hover, Kaelyn Hover and Alayna Hover; her two great-grandchildren, Gregory and Danika Bundrick; her long time companion, Gus Zito of Emporium, Pa.; her brother, Jerry Bash of MD; her sister, Dorothy Sayles of FL; also her nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Mary L. “Peg†Hover.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral service will be held in her memory at 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main St., Hornell, with the Rev. Virginia Murray officiating. Private committal services and interment will be at Rural Cemetery, Hornell.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to the choir of the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Thoughts and prayers to all. What a wonderful and accomplished woman your mom was. So sorry for your loss.
I was one of the first students that joined the Ecology Club @ Arkport Central School. I think one of my favorite memories as a teenager was going hiking & camping with Mrs. Hoover, her children and other members of the Ecology Club. We hiked along the Finger Lakes Trail and camped over night without any tents. We had to carry everything we needed in back packs along the way. It was hard work, fun times and lasting memories. I give her a lot of credit for taking us all on that adventure. I still have pictures of us all. She was a fantastic teacher and person. Thank you for the memories.
Mrs. Hover was a great influence in my life. As the youth choir director at United Presbyterian Church in Hornell, she was as much a life coach as she was a music director. She was always excited to see me when I was home from the Navy and was a terrific friend to my father. Their trips to West Virginia for missions projects were a highlight of my father’s life, and she was a big part of the stories he told of those trips. She was a great lady and will be terribly missed.
Jim and Rick – So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Rick,
I am very sorry to hear about your Mother. “May her memory comfort you so she lives always in your heart. May her spirit enfold you, so that you always know the peace and promise of eternity” My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your Family. She touched a lot of lives in Arkort and Hornell and will be missed dearly.
My sincere condolences,
Susan
I had the privilege of knowing Peg through working with her at Arkport. She taught both my children, Coby and Lindsay and each one thought highly of her. Peg was a big influence on Coby. He loved being in her class. I’m positive it was her teaching that peaked his interest in science. She recommended him to the gifted and talented program and he did go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Science. We were all disappointed when she left Arkport. I am glad I ran into her this past fall and had the chance to say hello. Our family is sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Mrs. Hoover had a great influence on me. I remember vividly many lessons she taught in class that helped fuel my love of science. She even helped me after I graduated when I was in school preparing to teach science. An amazing lady who touched many lives and made them better for knowing her.