Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Ithaca, NY

William J. Lasby
Mar 4, 2015
William J. "Will" Lasby, 81, of 428 Bella Vista Dr. Ithaca, died Wednesday March 4, 2015 at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pa. Predeceased by sister Phyllis Longo and brother Glenn Lasby. Survived by sister Frances Manning of Oklahoma, niece Yvonne Swain (Tim), nephews Joseph(Betty) and Nicholas (Barb) Longo as well as several nieces and nephews in Florida, Oklahoma and...
Sam, J. Leonardo
Mar 1, 2015
Sam J. Leonardo, 81, of Janivar Dr., passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 01, 2015 with his loving family at his side. He was born in Ithaca son of the late Frank and Josephine Cipriano Leonardo. Sam had been an Insurance Agent with Prudential Insurance and had been active in the local restaurant and hospitality industry. He had also...
Mary Howard
Feb 28, 2015
Mary E. Howard, 91, of Benjamin Hill Rd., Newfield, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015. She was born in West Danby, daughter of the late Joseph and Eunice Dickerman Elliott and was the widow of Asa Paul Howard who died in 1990. Mary had been a sales associate for Briarwood Antiques and had been an active member of...

Elsa Shapiro
Feb 27, 2015
Elsa Shapiro died peacefully in Ithaca, NY on February 27, 2015. She was born Elsa Walt on November 9, 1923 in Jaegersfontein, South Africa. In the 1940's, she moved in circles of anti-apartheid activists in South Africa. After World War II, she worked in France, for the American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee (JDC), assisting Jewish refugees. There she met...

Alfred Vanderveer
Feb 27, 2015
Alfred VanDerveer, 80, longtime resident of Ithaca, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Cayuga Medical Center. He was born on August 21, 1934 in New York City. Alfred had worked at the cafeteria at Woolworth's for many years and later at the Heights Café. He always took great pride in his work. He loved gospel music...

Nan Rae Julian
Feb 26, 2015
Nan Rae Julian died Thursday February 26, 2015 in Ithaca, New York due to Pneumonia she was 82. Nan was born January 7, 1933 in Endicott, New York to her parents Ray and Leona Hollenbeck. She graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1954 and worked as a dental hygienist. She married Robert R. Julian in 1957. In 1968...

Noble Byrd Jr.
Feb 24, 2015
Noble Byrd Jr. 65, of 800 South Plain St. Ithaca Passed away Tuesday February 24, 2015 at the Cayuga Medical Center. Born in Rochester, NY son of the late Noble and Rosetta Chestnut Byrd Sr. Survivors include daughter: Shantel Byrd, sons: Johnathan Byrd and Denoble Byrd Sr. grandchildren: Lor'nasia Wade, Lor'Baughn Moore, Derrick Paul and Denoble Byrd IV, also...

Vilma L. Spector
Feb 22, 2015
Vilma C. Spector, 87, of 311 East Green Street Ithaca, died Saturday February 22, 2015 at the Cayuga Medical Center Ithaca. At her request there will be no public services.

Donna Howard Smith
Feb 20, 2015
Donna Lee Smith, 67, of 256 Benjamin Hill Road, Newfield, slipped the surly bonds of this earth Friday February 20, 2015 and is now in the welcoming arms of God The family sends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Bael and his staff; Kate, Jo and the entire nursing staff in the infusion lab; also to all the nurses...

Ramona L. Andrews
Feb 17, 2015
Ramona L. Andrews, 84, of Ithaca went to be with her Lord on February 17, 2015. She was born on May 8, 1930. Ramona graduated from Ithaca High School in 1948. She was called "Sister" by her brothers and soon everyone knew her as "Sister". Ramona Married Rev. Earl Andrews on her Birthday in 1951. They worked together for...

James Metz
Feb 16, 2015
Jim Metz, 71, of Danby, NY, died Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Cayuga Medical Center. Arrangements are pending.
Patricia Harris
Feb 12, 2015
Patricia Harris, who served with the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City for 40 years, died of complications of old age on February 12, 2015 at Kendal at Ithaca where she had lived since 1995. She was 91. Ms. Harris was born in England to a colonial family that had recently returned from Karachi, then part of British India....

Thomas Dunn
Feb 11, 2015
Thomas Dunn, 73, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the home of his daughter in Ellis Hollow. Arrangements are pending.
Joseph C. Solomon
Feb 9, 2015
Joseph C. Solomon passed away at home on February 9, 2015 with his family at his side. He was born on May 28, 1917 in Ithaca, NY and, except for his time in the army, was a lifelong Ithaca resident. Joe married his wife, Jane, on September 5, 1942 and was then drafted into the US Army. He served...

Doris J. Kellogg Foster Higgins
Feb 4, 2015
Doris J. Kellogg Foster Higgins, 76, of Seneca Rd., Trumansburg, passed away on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 at the Cayuga Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lowville, NY, daughter of the late Floyd and Mary Elizabeth Burr Kellogg and was the widow of Harry Higgins who died in 2003. Doris had worked as a...
Mickey Potenza
Jan 31, 2015
Mickey Potenza, beloved mother and grandmother, died peacefully on January 31, 2015, surrounded by her family. Mickey was known for her tremendous spirit and her endless generosity. She was a loving Christian who praised Jesus and once had The Ten Commandments posted on a billboard in Ithaca. Born Mildred Canteline to parents Raymond and Evelyn on June 26, 1925,...

Joseph Nelson Barrett
Jan 28, 2015
Joseph Nelson Barrett, 78, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Oak Hill Manor Nursing Home. Arrangements are pending.

Ella Louise Slaght Conover
Jan 27, 2015
Ella Louise Slaght Conover, 83, a life time resident of Trumansburg, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at the Beechtree Care Center. She was born in Ithaca November 09, 1931, daughter of the late Perley and Alice Nash Slaght and was the widow of Ernest Conover. She was also predeceased by her brother, Charles Slaght. Ella is survived by...

Angela F. Stedwell
Jan 26, 2015
Angela Stedwell , 55, of Spencer, NY died January 26, 2015. Daughter of Marshall Martin and the late Barbara Martin. Survivors include her husband: Allen Stedwell, Daughters: Sonya Rafferty and Nicole Frisco, Brothers: Mark and Robert Martin and Sister: Christine Mills. In addition to her Mother she was also Pre-Deceased by her Brother: Michael Martin. Friends may call Saturday...

Robert F. Dibble Jr.
Jan 21, 2015
Robert F. Dibble Jr., 56, of Brooktondale, NY died suddenly Wednesday January 21, 2015 at Cayuga Medical Center. He was the son of Robert F. Dibble Sr. and the late Joan O'Dell Dibble. Survivors include his wife, Terri Grudzias Dibble; sons, Robert, James and Caleb; daughters, Tabatha and Mariah Dibble, also brothers, Ronnie, John and Brian Dibble and sister,...