Published:  11/21/02

SYRACUSE — Amber Elyse Crofoot, 23, and her daughter, Anna Isabelle DiNiro, 2½ years old, of Syracuse N.Y., returned to the hands of God to live amongst the angels, along with another little friend and angel, Alexus Mejia Bliss, also 2½ years old, on Nov. 14, 2002.

A tragic automobile accident took their lives, but their wonderful memories and shining smiles will remain in the hearts of all who loved them forever.

Amber and Anna enjoyed the outdoors, animals and nature. They found great happiness with each moment they spent together and all the special times they shared with family and friends who loved them so dearly and will miss them with each day that passes.

Amber and Anna are survived by a loving companion and father John DiNiro of Syracuse. Their mother and grandmother, Donna (Perry) Russell; their stepfather and grandfather David Russell; and two loving brothers and uncles, Nathan P. Russell and Jacob D. Russell of 127 Wally Rd. North Syracuse, N.Y. Their maternal grandparents and great-grandparents also survive them, Mary Perry of 10 Champlain Street and Adrian Perry of 68 Prospect Avenue, both of Plattsburgh. Four loving aunts who cherished them both also survive them, Susan Lee Perry of Silver City, N.M., Linda (Perry) Klinsky and her husband Ralph, of Filer, Idaho, Judy (Perry) Booth and her husband Matthew, of Plattsburgh and Cindy (Perry) Preisinger and her husband Larry, of Phoenix, Ariz. They are also survived by eight cousins who loved them both and will keep them forever within their hearts, Justin, Abby, Kathleen, Khara, Christin, Kaitlyn, Jared and Simon.

Amber was a wonderful loving mother. She worked as a teacher's assistant at her daughter's preschool where she gave so much joy and love to the children she held so dearly.

Amber's favorite hymn was "Let There Be Peace On Earth". Because of her devotion to her daughter, family, friends and the children she worked with, the family asks that all donations be made in their memory to the Mission of Hope so that all children have a chance for happiness. Mission of Hope, c/o Sister Debbie Blow, 2 Flaglar Dr., Plattsburgh N.Y. 12901.

JAY — William C. Coolidge, 68, of the Glen Road, Jay, N.Y., died unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002.

He was born May 27, 1934, in Jay, the son of William H. and Julia (Ledwith) Coolidge.

Bill enjoyed his family and his home, as well as tending his Herefords, making maple syrup, camping, snowmobiling, going to blue grass shows and square dancing. He was a retired bus driver, having worked for 24 years for the AuSable Valley School system.

Bill is survived by his wife, Janet; and three sons, William Coolidge and his wife Lynne of Altona, Calvin Coolidge and his wife Pat of Jay and Michael Coolidge of Denver, Colo. He is also survived by his two grandsons, Billy and Ben Coolidge of Altona; two sisters, Betty Cave and Bea Pelkey; and a brother Bob Coolidge, all of Jay; as well as, a sister-in-law, Bonnie Combs of Port Henry; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation hours with the family will be at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, 6:30 to 9 p.m. A Memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers , donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Upper Jay Fire Department or the AuSable Forks Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Keeseville — Rev. Stephen Walker Gillespie, 77, of the Highlands Road, Keeseville, died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Troy, N.Y., June 21, 1925, the son of Duncan Angus and Martha (Lee) Gillespie.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the infantry division in France and Germany and received the Purple Heart.

Rev. Gillespie graduated from Union College in Schenectady and General Seminary in New York City. He was ordained in 1953 by Bishop Frederick Barry.

He served at St. John's in Troy and St. Matthew's in Latham. Following 25 years of service he retired and in 1978 began his service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Keeseville.

He is survived by two nieces, Barbara Trigg Donela of Pownal, Vt., and Cynthia Peacock of Bennington, Vt.; and one nephew, Christopher B. Trigg of Rupert, Vt.

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Keeseville. Military honors and burial will follow in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Paul's Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

Adelaide S. Cassot, 84, of Beech Hill Circle, Lake Placid, N.Y., died at her home Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002.

She was born in Bronx, N.Y., April 26, 1918, the daughter of William and Adelaide (Kurtzdorfer) Seebach.

There are no calling hours. Burial will be at a later date in Pine Lawn Cemetery on Long Island. The Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements.

Harry L. Stone, 79, of Brown Street, Malone, N.Y., died Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone.

He was born in Malone on Jan. 27, 1923, the son of the late, Joseph and Victoria (Trucheon) Stone.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 29, 2002, at 9 a.m. in Notre Dame Church in Malone. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are through the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service of Malone.

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