All Obituaries

Ellen M. Jackson, age 77 of Freeville, NY passed away Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. Born June 26, 1944 in Ithaca, NY she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary Holden Whittier. On May 9, 1964 she married Robert Jackson. Ellen spent many years with her loving husband exploring the country looking for adventures.  She was a proud homemaker devoted to her family, with a love of gardening, dancing, flowers, and searching for treasures at yard...

Michael J. Fitzgibbons, age 62 of Dryden, New York passed away Friday, July 16, 2021 at the Groton Community Health Care Center. Born June 15, 1959 in Auburn, New York he was the son of M. Jean Hart Fitzgibbons and the late William Patrick Fitzgibbons.  He was graduated from Dryden Central School in 1978 and was employed with TC3 and Cornell University before a debilitating disease forced early retirement.  Mike was a member of the Dryden Fire and Ambulance and received numerous...

David Paul Snyder-10/31/01-7/11/21-Passed away from complications of substance abuse. David is survived by his mother(Kimberly Ankrum), his father(Lawrence Snyder), older brother( Robert Snyder), two younger sisters( Cassandra & Marissa Snyder), many other family members & countless friends that all love and cared for him through happy and difficult times throughout his short life. David's favorite color was between neon green and lime green, he enjoyed playing some sports,...

Carolyn Babcock van Leer of Yellow Barn Road, Freeville, NY passed away in her home, surrounded by family in November of 2019 from cholangiocarcinoma. Due to the holidays and then the pandemic her funeral was postponed until July 10, 2021. Carolyn was born in Ithaca in November of 1937. She was raised on the former Babcock Poultry Farm which was founded by her father Monroe. Babcock Industries became internationally famous for producing the best egg laying chickens in the world. Carolyn had...

Robert Donald Ayers departed this life peacefully at age 92, on July 4, 2021 at LeRoy Village Green. He was born in Cortland, NY September 7, 1928, to the late Donald and Aldine Ayers. He was married for over 63 years to the love of his life, Barbara Davall Ayers, who passed away on September 12, 2012. They will be together again in Heaven. His lifetime career was in the transportation industry, working 37 years for Red Star Express. For 23 years he was the union steward for the Teamsters...

“I thought it was a love story, and I was the hero, but it wasn’t about me. It wasn’t my story at all. It was Margaret’s.” After twenty-one years with multiple sclerosis, Margaret Dowling Kimbell’s beautiful story concluded Thursday, July 1, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving husband, Greg, much-loved dog Gina, and superstar-caregiver Danielle. All are devastated. Many people knew Marghie through one or more of her many passions and interests. She...

Charles Henry Barned passed away peacefully with his wife and son by his side on June 30, 2021.  He was born in Cortland, NY on June 22, 1938 to Warren and Margaret Barned. Charlie worked for Smith Corona in Cortland for 37 years but will be most remembered for his fierce love of family, card playing skills, and commitment to finding a good deal.  He and Alice loved to travel by car and, in retirement, drove thousands of miles across the country and made countless trips to see...

Lieu Thi Thu Pham passed away peacefully on June 28, 2021.  She was born and raised in Danang, Vietnam on November 20, 1950.  As a teen, she worked with the American Army there and learned English. She married and moved to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).  She was one of the many boat persons who escaped Vietnam in 1980, with her young son David.  They lived in a refugee camp in Indonesia until they were accepted as refugees to Ithaca in 1985.  She and her son became...

Alan Dean Rainbow, age 74 of Cortland, NY passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 at home with his loving wife beside him. Born January 12, 1947 in Cortland, NY he was the son of the late Robert and June Rice Rainbow.  Alan served with the US Marine Corp in Vietnam from 1964-1968. He was employed with Northern Telecom prior to retirement and was a member of American Legion Post 465 of Homer; VFW Ithaca Post 961, Cortland FOE Aerie 155 and Cortland Disabled American Veterans Chapter...

Nancy Phyllis Greene Milstein passed away peacefully in her sleep in Ithaca, NY on the morning of June 27th at the age of 83. Nancy always exhibited grace and poise, including the years during which she lived with dementia which made it increasingly difficult for her to communicate. Yet, it also distilled her down to the best of her essence - always smiling and laughing - with her kindness to everyone multiplying over time. Nancy was born Christmas Eve 1937 in Auburn, ME to Myer Greene...