Obituary of Ellen Susan Ferris

Ellen Susan Ferris, 64, of Syracuse, passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital on Sunday, December 28, 2014 with her family by her side. She was born on July 29, 1950 in Utica, NY, the daughter of the late John and Hazel (Grimes) Ferris. Susan was a graduate of Marcellus High School. She was a talented student, receiving an Associate's Degree from Maria Regina College, a Bachelor's from SUNY Brockport, a Master's from the University of Missouri, and taking advanced studies at Syracuse University. Susan began her career in 1976 at Loretto Geriatric Center working as the Adult Day Community Activities Director. In 1993 she took a position at the Town of DeWitt Parks and Recreation Department where she retired from in 2010 as the Senior Program Director. During her career she was also an adjunct Instructor at Onondaga Community College from 1982-1999. Throughout her life Sue was a member and leader of countless organizations. She was a past President, Member-at-Large and held other Executive Board positions for the CNYRPS from 1993-2011, Founder and Queen Diva of the National Red Hat Society in DeWitt, CSEA Unit Officer, Action Member of SAGE/Upstate from 1997-2005, member of the NYSTRA and NYSRPS (1992-2002) and volunteered on various other committees. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jon Dennis and Sonja Ferris, Sr. of Liverpool; Nieces, Deborah and James Miller of Syracuse, and Sonja Lynn Potocki of Greensboro, NC; Nephews and their spouses, Jon Dennis and Ashley Ferris, Jr. of Lancaster, NY, and Vernon and Bernadette Roberson of Syracuse; 6 Grandnieces and Grandnephews, and many Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, special relatives, and friends. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse, 109 Waring Rd., Syracuse on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 6pm. All are invited to call Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 8-9am at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. Funeral services will be held following calling hours at 9am at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. Please consider donations to the Senior Companion Program of CNY, 3049 East Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13224 and Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus, 232 East Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13202.