Edith Marie Denesha, 82, of Caroline Street, DeKalb Jct. died Thursday, August 19, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, at United Helpers Maplewood Campus where she was a resident since January.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the DeKalb Jct. United Methodist Church with Rev. William G. Hart and Rev. Robert Schirmer officiating. Calling hours will be Monday from 1 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton. Burial will be in Old DeKalb Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to Canton Alzheimer’s Support Group, c/o P.O. Box 191, DeKalb Jct., NY 13630 or to Activities Fund at United Helpers Maplewood Campus, 205 State Street, Canton, NY 13617.
Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Elmer Denesha of DeKalb Jct.; three sons, Larry and wife Sue of DeKalb Jct., Wayne and wife Trudy of DeKalb Jct. and Floyd “Mark” and wife Amy of Ocala, FL; one daughter, Ellen Scales and husband Thomas of DeKalb Jct.; one brother, Curtis Conklin and wife Beverly of Gouverneur; one sister, Fern Thompson of Canton; eleven grandchildren, Broc Denesha and wife Karla, Stacy Denesha, Clay Denesha and wife Beth, Stephanie Bailey and husband Ron, Carrie Denesha, Leanne Price and husband Eric, Angelique and Thanisha Scales, Mark Denesha, Eliza Denesha and Libby Denesha; nineteen great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Bud and Grafton and four sisters, Ella Belle, Elva, Eva and Doris.
Edith was born June 29, 1928 in Gouverneur, a daughter of Roscoe and Carrie (Bowman) Conklin. She attended Richville Schools and later received her GED from Canton Central School of which she was in the first class to do so.
On May 8, 1948 she married Elmer Denesha at the Methodist Parsonage in Moira, NY with Rev. Lewis McConnell as celebrant. The couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Edith was employed by St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dept. retiring in 1987 after ten years of service. At the time of retirement she was Matron of Jail having been appointed to the position by the late Sheriff Keith Knowlton. Edith also assisted her husband, Elmer, with the funeral home the couple owned and operated in DeKalb Jct. from 1955 to 1988.
She was a former member of Daughters of Nile in Watertown, Past Matron of O.E.S. and Past District Deputy, 1st St. Lawrence District O.E.S., member of the Richville Chapter #291 O.E.S. She was also a member of the DeKalb Jct. United Methodist Church, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post #1231, a Charter Member of DeKalb Jct. Volunteer Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary and Chairperson of DeKalb Republican Committee.
A life-time resident of DeKalb, Edith enjoyed her flowers, her home and cooking. She loved her entire family and they always came first. She was always last. She will always be remembered as a wonderful wife and mother and grandmother.
Condolences may be sent to the family c/o [email protected]
