Obituary of Dorothy E McConnell

Dorothy E. McConnell, 87, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the family farm on Post Street.

She was born in Waterville on May 10, 1930, the daughter of the late Howard and Mayme (Fuess) Eastman, and graduated from Waterville Schools.  On September 24, 1949, she was married to John R. McConnell – a loving union of almost 64 years until his passing on September 4, 2013.  Dorothy worked at Clinton Agway for 18 years before becoming the Town Clerk of Marshall - serving for 18 years.  She was also the co-founder of the Historical Society of the Town of Marshall.  She recently received The Historic Preservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Historian Professional Achievement Award from The Association of Public Historians of New York State and The New York State Museum.  Dorothy authored many books on family and local history and sent out a monthly newsletter to all her family and friends.  She was an active member of the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir, knitted sweaters for children, packaged the health kits for Church World Services, and was part of the Women’s Fellowship.  Many family and friends received her hand-knitted gifts.  She loved to garden and will always be remembered for her red raspberries, which she loved to tend, pick and share with each new generation of the family.  Her berries were lovingly made into jams, jellies and pies.  Dorothy’s cheerful nature made her a joy to everyone who knew her – she will be greatly missed.  She truly cherished every moment spent with each generation of her family.  She was the best!

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Jane and Al Dardani of Coxsackie, Lois and Bill Neal of Helena, MT, James and Becky McConnell of Clinton and Mary Beth and Stephen Krueger of Swanton, OH; eight grandchildren, Celisia Street and fiancé Scott Cerniglia, Gretchen Neal and Josh Fauque and Jennifer Neal and Josh Vanderzanden, Amber and Travis Barrett, John R and Britt McConnell, Kimberly and David Grescheck, Dustin and Jessica Chandler and Kaitlyn and Michael Harden; nine great-grandchildren, Grace and Brice Barrett, Rowan, Jude and Pierce Chandler, Kyleigh, Haylie, Makayla and Lucas Grescheck;  sister Gratia Burleigh of Morrisville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband John; infant daughter SueEllen; her twin great-granddaughters, Clara Mae and Ruby Louise McConnell; her siblings and their spouses, Lester and Anne Eastman, Beverly and Charlie Hughes, Jean and Robert Meyers and Chuck Burleigh.

All are invited to call Monday, January 15, 2018 from 1-4pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11am Tuesday at Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ.  Burial will be in the spring in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Dorothy’s memory to Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ or Deansboro Fire Department Barton Hose Company.

The family thanks all of the friends and family, as well as the Visiting Nurses’ Association and Hospice & Palliative Care for their kindness and compassion.