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April - June 2008
April 4,
2008 - Grand Island Dispatch
Mary J. Nelson
Mary J. Nelson, a 60-year Grand Island resident, passed away peacefully
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
She enjoyed her lovely home on West River; gardening; and the company
of others.
The wife of the late John S. Nelson, Mary was mother to Sandra V. Nelson
and Mary Mayne; the beloved grandmother of Lisa A. Bagley and Richard
Molnar; the sister of Betty Ann (late Joseph) Wilkie, Jo Ann (late Henry)
Bailey, John (Patricia) Svarczkopf and Richard Svarczkopf. She also is
survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mary touched many people in her life and will be truly missed.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 4 (today),
at St. Stephen R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline Road.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made to Sisters of
Charity Hospital.
(included photo)
April 18, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch
Alice Louise ‘Becky’ Goodwin
Alice Louise “Becky” Goodwin died peacefully at age 86 in East Brunswick,
N.J., on Friday, April 11, 2008. She lived on Grand Island for nearly
60 years, first on Wallace Drive and later on the West River, moving
to New Jersey just three years ago to be near her youngest daughter,
Tricia.
Goodwin moved to Grand Island in 1946 with her husband, Bill, soon
after they both completed service in WWII. She and Bill were actively
involved in the community, especially the Centennial Celebration in
1952. She began to teach third grade at Kaegebein Elementary School
in 1956, switched to first grade several years later, and continued
in that position until her retirement in June 1984. A born teacher,
she also taught swimming to children, and life saving to adults on
the weekends, first at Sandy Beach and later at Grand Island High School.
She was proudest of teaching so many of the Island’s children to read
and to swim, and of her family.
The Buffalo Bills became Goodwin’s greatest passion in her retirement.
She never missed a home game and traveled to each of the team’s Super
Bowl appearances. She was also an active member of the Monday Quarterback
Club. In addition to cheering on the Bills, Goodwin traveled extensively
during the years following her retirement. Trips to China, Australia
and Germany were among the highlights.
Goodwin was also an active member of the local chapters of Alpha Phi
and PEO. She loved hosting PEOs from other parts of the country, serving
as a “bed and breakfast” and showing off Niagara Falls. She was a member
of Trinity Church. Her “green thumb” was developed as a founding member
of the Sandy Beach Garden Club.
In addition to teaching, Goodwin volunteered for the Red Cross for
more than 30 years, and was awarded a Special Citation for Exceptional
Volunteer Service in 1996. She was also a volunteer for the American
Cancer Society on Daffodil Days, and for the Grand Island Historical
Society at River Lea.
Her grandchildren remember a devoted teacher who loved to tell them
about the family heritage, take them to all the sites at Niagara Falls,
and swim with the dolphins at the Aquarium. Her children remember a
loving mother who was also a warm and consistent disciplinarian, always
giving all that she could for them and expecting only their best effort
in return. Friends remember a strong-willed, committed and independent
woman who contributed greatly to her community.
Goodwin is survived by her three children: Thasia Woodworth (Warren),
a physician and pharmaceutical executive currently living in England;
W. Jarrard Goodwin Jr. (Sharon), a surgeon and director of the Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami; and Tricia LaDuca (Frank), director
of community relations and programs for the East Brunswick (New Jersey)
Public Schools. Additional survivors include 10 grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
The family is planning a memorial service at Trinity Church in June.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross,
Greater Buffalo Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209.
Grand Island Dispatch, May 2, 2008
Barbi Lare, former Dispatch photographer, passes away
Barbara Ann Lare (nee Brill), affectionately known as Barbi Lare,
passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008. The longtime Grand Island resident
and former Dispatch photographer was 74.
She was born on July 9, 1933, the daughter of the late Donald E. and
Dorothy Brill. Lare was a graduate of Williamsville High School and
the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she majored in photographic
arts. She excelled in fencing and competed for 20 years. Lare twice
ranked 10th in the United States in women’s foil competition, earning
her a place on the Olympic squad for two consecutive games.
In 1990, Lare was inducted into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame. During
and after her years as a competitive fencer, she continued to participate
as an official and director for competitions such as the World University
Games – which, in 1993, were held in Western New York.
Lare was a professional photographer and owner of Images – Words and
Pictures. She became well-known in the Grand Island community for photographing
and reporting on news, youth sports and public interest stories for
numerous publications. Her work was instrumental in publicizing civic
events for various organizations.
She taught photography at MollyOlga Neighborhood Arts Classes (now
Locust Street Art School) in Buffalo and in conjunction with Grand
Island Central School District extra curricular courses. Lare was a
member of the Professional Photographer’s Society of New York/Buffalo/Niagara
Division.
Active in St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Lare served as
vestry member, parish secretary, director of the altar guild, choir
member and acolyte. She was a founding member of the Grand Island Art
Society; past president of the Zonta Club International/Grand Island
Chapter; a longtime member of the Grand Island Recreational Advisory
Board; active in the Grand Island Historical Society, Grand Island
Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross and Friends of the Grand Island
Library; an avid tennis player; and part-owner of a former clay court
tennis facility on Grand Island, where she organized tennis club tournaments
during the summer months.
Lare represented Western New York with her tennis team in 1989 at
the Volvo National Tournament in Palm Springs, Calif. In recent years,
she also enjoyed kayaking on the Niagara River; being a docent for
the Buffalo Zoo; a season-ticket holder for the Buffalo Philharmonic
Orchestra; a member of the Grand Island Golden Age Club; part of Joan
Droit’s Book Club; and an associate of the Women’s Home Bureau.
During the 42 years Lare lived on Grand Island, she became a familiar
face to many, both through her photography and through her many civic
activities. She was honored as Grand Island Citizen of the Year in
1990 for her civic contributions to the community.
Barbi was predeceased by her husband, Walter H. Lare, and is survived
by her children: Susanne of Rochester, Donald W. of Amherst, Sandra
J. (Roger Trettel) of Grand Island and Rebecca A. (Paul) Jordison of
Fredonia. Also surviving are her four grandchildren: Kaeden M., Emily
Paige and L. Tannin Jordison and Jonathan Walter Trettel. Additionally,
she is survived by several close relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A memorial
service was held Wednesday at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church.
Interment was in St. Martin’s Columbarium.
Barbi’s family welcomes contributions in her memory to any of the
following organizations: St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Grand Island Golden
Age Center, Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (Erie
County), Roswell Park Cancer Institute or Hospice Buffalo.
Robert J. Elmes
Robert J. Elmes, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Tuesday,
April 29, 2008. He was a retired professor in speech and communications
at Buffalo State College.
Robert was husband to Nancy W. Elmes; father of Patrick R. (Gwen)
Elmes of Arlington, Texas, Gregory W. Elmes of Homer, Ark., and the
late Robert J. Elmes Jr.; the grandfather of Brittany (Christopher)
Petruska and Danielle Elmes; and the brother of Alex (Ruth) Elmes.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Kaiser
Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. A memorial Mass will be celebrated
Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline
Road. Entombment will be in St. Stephen’s Columbarium.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Robert
J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Fund, care of Buffalo State College, Relations
Office, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222. Memorials also may be
made to Hospice Buffalo.
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