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Audrey Marguerite Joyce Mallery
ONEONTA — Audrey Marguerite Joyce Mallery, 83, passed away early Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 2006, at her home after a long illness.
Joyce, as she was known to family and friends, was born July 29, 1922, in Oswego, the daughter of William Francis and Vera Jane (Connors) Joyce.
As a preschooler, she lived in Panama where her father was serving in the United States Army; then she spent most of her childhood in Chicago. While a college student, she lived in New York City for the 1942-43 school year while she worked in radio program analysis and public relations at NBC and studied radio script writing at Columbia University. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago in 1944.
From October 1944 until April 1946, Joyce served in the Women’s Army Corps. Initially, she assisted in a chemical warfare unit. However, from September 1945 through the winter of 1946, she wrote announcements for the American Forces Network in France and Germany. She was one of the first women to work in this radio unit that provided information and entertainment to troops in the European Theater of Operations.
On Feb. 20, 1946, in Hochst, Germany, she married Guy Edwin Mallery Jr., who was serving as a radio program officer with the Armed Forces Network.
After returning to the U.S. in 1946, Joyce continued to work in radio, first in Helena, Montana and then in Sacramento, Calif. She then lived for two years in Albuquerque, N.M., while her husband served in the Army at Sandia Base, N.M.
She moved to Maryland in 1953, living first in Baltimore and moving to Annapolis in 1958. She then moved to Ridgefield, Conn., in 1970. She taught preschool and elementary grades for many years at the Key School, a private school in Annapolis, Md., and at various public schools in Maryland and Connecticut.
Joyce moved to Oneonta in December 1975 as co-owner of WONT Radio Station, where she did broadcast interviews and provided support services for the station until January 1978.
During the first part of 1978, she worked as an interviewer for Opportunities for Otsego and, later that year, she coordinated programs for senior citizens while working with the Parks and Recreation Department in Oneonta. At the end of 1978, she began her long association with the Otsego County Office for the Aging, where she worked for more than 20 years. She retired from her position as director of senior services in September 2000.
Throughout her life, Joyce had a special love for words and music.
Always a voracious reader with a passionate love of learning, for many years she was a regular participant in the Great Books Discussion Group at St. John’s College in Annapolis where she continued to develop intellectual interests begun while a student at the University of Chicago. She also studied at various colleges in the area, including the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Her studies continued after moving to Connecticut. In May 1972, she received a master’s degree in education at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn.
Following her move to New York, Joyce earned a master’s degree in English at State University College at Oneonta in May 1990. Her special areas of study included Irish folklore and literature, Romantic poetry, and the novels of Jane Austen.
Joyce’s own writing career included both fiction and newspaper articles. Beginning with pieces in high school and college newspapers, she continued her involvement in journalism throughout her adult life by contributing articles to the Chicago Daily News, the Annapolis Evening Capitol, the Ridgefield Press, the Binghamton Press, the Cooperstown Freeman’s Journal, and the Oneonta Daily Star.
Joyce was also interested in drama. As a youngster in Chicago, she acted in productions by the Jack and Jill Players. While living in Connecticut and New York, she renewed this interest through creative dramatics programs for children and film making, including courses in video production at SUCO.
However, Joyce is probably best known for her storytelling, which provided a way to combine both literature and dramatics. She shared her gift for storytelling through programs at many schools, libraries, senior citizen gatherings, and parks. In 1978, she helped establish the Storytelling Center of Oneonta and for more than 20 years was an active member.
Although she had a diverse repertoire of stories, Irish folklore was her specialty. In pursuit of material, she traveled throughout Ireland, studying the Irish language and collecting and learning traditional Irish stories to share. Joyce’s family thanks the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts for the grants it awarded Joyce to help support her research into Irish folklore.
Joyce’s love for music, another strong influence and source of pleasure for her, is evident in her involvement with many church choirs and choral groups in the various places she lived. Joyce also played the piano and recorders, but her special joy was playing guitar, particularly classical works.
In the Oneonta area, she enjoyed attending productions at the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown.
Joyce is survived by her eight children, Robert Mallery and his wife, Barbara, of Indiana, Pa., Christopher Mallery and his wife, Patricia, of Wayne, N.J., Kathleen Mallery, of Oneonta, Timothy Mallery, of Oneonta, Mary Mallery, of Princeton Junction, N.J., Margaret Hubbard and her husband, Kevin, of Los Alamos, N.M., Nadine Mallery, of Dallas, Texas, and Guy Mallery III and his wife, Rose Costin, of Stockton, Calif., as well as 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Her son William Donn Mallery predeceased her in 1981.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta, with the Rev. Joseph Benintende, pastor, as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in loving memory of Audrey Joyce Mallery to the Glimmerglass Opera, PO Box 191, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, 11 Ford Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.
Albert Charles Gurney
UNADILLA — Albert Charles Gurney, 88, of Unadilla, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
Albert was born July 24, 1917, in Dunkirk, the youngest son of Ellis and Jessie (Owler) Gurney.
He was a resident of Unadilla from early childhood and was a graduate of Unadilla High School, class of 1935. He attended the University of Alabama, where he received a degree in engineering.
He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and returned home to work at the Unadilla Silo Company.
As an active member of the community, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Unadilla, where he served as an elder of the church for several years and was in the church choir.
He was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 1 for many years and received the Scouting Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Youth.
He was a member of the American Legion, was active in the Tri-Town Theater and was a member of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Susie Savage Gurney; his brother, Kenneth Gurney; and sister, Julia Gurney.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Priscilla and Mohammad Yadegari, of Schenectady, and Linda and Francis Millard, of Northfield, Mass.; his sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Sandi Gurney, of Unadilla, and Kenneth and Suzy Gurney, of Buhl, Ala.; his sister, Kathryn Ives, of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; nephews, William Ives, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Roger Gurney, of Oneonta; grandchildren, Shireen Yadegari, Nasrene Yadegari-Lewis, Douglas Gurney, Rebecca Gurney, Shannon Seitz, Jessica Wilkins, Sarah Fisk, Jesse Millard, Bre Millard, Bryan Gurney, Meghan Gurney and Gregory Gurney; great-grandchildren, Roya Lewis, Ian Lewis, Rhys Lewis, Avery Murray-Gurney, Frances Gurney-Murray, Elliot Gurney-Murray, Zoe Seitz and Lily Seitz.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Unadilla, with the Rev. Dennis Dewey (Presbytery of Utica) officiating.
There will be no calling hours.
Interment will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Unadilla.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations may be made to Troop 1 Boy Scouts, care of Prudence Danforth, Troop Secretary, 288 Main St., Unadilla, NY 13849.
Funeral arrangements are by the Westcott Funeral Home Inc., 123 Main St., Unadilla, under the supervision of James S. Westcott and James C. Magee, funeral directors.
David M. Willyoung
BURLINGTON FLATS — David M. Willyoung, 81, of Burlington Flats and formerly of Scotia, passed away peacefully Jan. 28, 2006, at the Otsego Manor, Cooperstown, after a lengthy illness.
Born May 7, 1924, in Ridgewood, N.J., the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Smith) Will-young, he was orphaned as a child and raised by family friends Edgar and Eleanor Ashworth.
In 1945, he graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., where he was a member of Tau Beta Pi fraternity. He received his master’s degree from Union College in Schenectady.
He worked for General Electric in Schenectady for 50 years and was awarded 44 patents and numerous professional and international awards, primarily for his work in the Large Steam Turbine Generator Division. He was elected a Fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
He was an active member of the East Glenville Community Church until he moved in 1997 to Burlington Flats to live with his daughter.
A kind, gentle and quietly generous man, David greatly loved hiking and camping in the Adirondacks, his garden, and traveling around the world.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ernestine "Effie" (Rist) in 1974, and two daughters, Susan and Eleanor Jean.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Gary Czerkies, of Burlington Flats, and his son, Timothy Willyoung, of Delanson; granddaughter, Alexandra Willyoung; brother and sister-in-law, Noel and Yvonne Willyoung, of Homewood, Calif.; sister, Joan VanAlst, of Greenlawn; and many nieces and nephews.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Leatherstocking Region Office, The Meadows Suite 2, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice Hope Foundation, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the East Glenville Community Church, Scotia, with the Rev. Ron Sylvester officiating. Interment to follow in Memory’s Garden, Colonie.
Arrangements are under the direction of Glenville Funeral Home.
Frances Mahalick
MARGARETVILLE — Frances Mahalick, 89, of Margaretville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at her residence.
Frances was born Jan. 24, 1917, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the daughter of Victor and Frances Zigmantanis.
Frances married Thomas W. Mahalick on July 14, 1934, in Wilkes-Barre Pa. He died Feb. 15, 1999.
Frances worked at the Pilgrim State Hospital for 15 years, taking care of the mentally ill patients.
She moved to New Kingston from Long Island and then to the village of Margaretville.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, Margaretville; the Quilting Club; and the Margaretville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Frances is survived by one son, Thomas Mahalick, of Florida; one daughter, Joan Frankel of Florida; one granddaughter; seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by one granddaughter.
Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at the Sacred Heart Church in Margaretville, with the Very Rev. James J. McDevitt as celebrant.
Burial will be in New Kingston Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions may be made in memory of Frances Mahalick to the Memorial Fund of the Margaretville Memorial Hospital, Margaretville, NY 12455.
Arrangements are by the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville.
Doris M. Cronk
ROXBURY — Doris M. Cronk, 79, a lifelong area resident, died at her Roxbury home Monday, Jan. 30, 2006.
Born in West Conesville, she was the daughter of Ernest and Clara (Hungerford) Myers.
She married Eugene W. Cronk in Grand Gorge in March 1942. He died July 5, 1989.
Doris had worked as a waitress at the Waterfall House, Chateau and RonDeVoo restaurants.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Sarah Cronk, of Roxbury; a brother, Richard Myers, of Oneonta; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews.
Doris was predeceased by a son, James Cronk, in January 2000, two brothers, James and Frank Myers, and two sisters, Dorothy Myers and Vivian Raeder.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Pilgrim Holiness Church, Grand Gorge with the Rev. Lawrence Major, officiating.
Burial will be in Roxbury Cemetery, Roxbury.
Contributions in memory of Doris M. Cronk may be made to the Pilgrim Holiness Church, Rt. 23, Grand Gorge.
Arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Hazel M. Mead
ROXBURY — Hazel M. Mead, 91, of Roxbury, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006, at Countryside Care Center, Delhi, after a long illness.
Born Sept. 25, 1914, in Halcottsville, she was the daughter of Archie and Elsie (Sanford) Hinkley.
She married Robert Mead on Dec. 5, 1931, in Windham.
Hazel attended school in Halcottsville and Roxbury. After Hazel and Bob were married they farmed in Roxbury, Eflein Hollow, Montgomery Hollow, and finally in West Settlement, from which they retired in 1975.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 74 years, Robert Mead; two sons, Ralph Mead and his wife, Marie, and Gordon Mead; one daughter, Emily Gray and her husband, Andrew; two sisters, Doris Stahl and Emily Schuman; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Mead, in 1957 and a daughter-in-law, Mary Mead, in 2005.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the United Methodist Church, Roxbury, with the Rev. William Hawes and the Rev. Richard Dykstra officiating.
Burial will be in the Methodist Cemetery in Roxbury.
Contributions in memory of Hazel Mead, may be made to the United Methodist Church, Roxbury.
Arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
