Published: 05/30/03

Cadyville — Mrs. Marie Mable Norcross, 81, of Route 3 CadyviIle, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Lyon Mountain, N.Y., on June 4, 1921, the daughter of Benjamin and Lillian (Havens) Brooks. She was a graduate of Lyon Mountain High School and of the Loretta Business School in Plattsburgh.

Marie and her late husband Charles W. "Pete" were foster parents to several children over many years. She enjoyed crocheting and reading. Marie had been an Avon representative for many years. She was a member of St. James Minor Church in Cadyville and a former member of St. James Minor Church Altar Rosary Society.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Lillian and her husband, Charles W. "Pete" Norcross.

She is survived by her children, Nancy LaPlante and her husband Lester of Plattsburgh, James Norcross and his wife Debbie of Vermontville, Charles D. Norcross and his wife Lynne of Cadyville, Reginald Norcross and his wife Kim of Plattsburgh and Sally Darrah and her husband Bruce of Cadyville; 11 grandchildren, Angela Briotta and her husband Anthony, Andrew LaPlante and his wife Nicole, Aimee LaPlante, Michelle and Karan Norcross, Erin and Adam Norcross, Billy Joe and Sarah Norcross and Benjamin and Katelyn Darrah; one aunt, Violet Gareau of Dannemora; a close cousin, Freida LaMar of Dannemora, who was like a sister to her. Marie is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Verda Norcross of MorrisonviIle, Claris Norcross of Plattsburgh and Mabel Norcross of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; several nieces, nephews and other cousins also survive her.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Park Row, Cadyville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at noon at St. James Minor Church. Interment will follow in the Cadyville Protestant Cemetery.

Friends wishing may have Masses said in her memory or make donations to the Cadyville Fire Department or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Plattsburgh — Mrs. Mary K. Skiff, 82, of Oak Street in Plattsburgh, N.Y., passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home.

She was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on July 8, 1920, the daughter of Karl F. and Annie (Warren) Klein.

Mary enjoyed reading and knitting. She was an avid card player and Yahtzee player. Mary was a member of the Order of the Eastern Miramichi Chapter 477 and Trinity Episcopal Church.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Donald Skiff and her cousin, Sally Warren.

She is survived by a dear friend, Vicky Tousignant and her husband Raymond of Morrisonville.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Blair Biddle, Deacon in charge of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Keeseville, officiating.

Interment will be Monday, June 2, 2003, at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations to the Adirondack Humane Society.

Plattsburgh — Mrs. Helen G. Paro, 81, of LaFayette Street, Plattsburgh, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Morrisonville, N.Y., on March 17, 1922, the daughter of Patrick and Goldie (Williams) Ledwith.

Helen was a graduate of Peru Central High School, Class of 1940. She retired from the Plattsburgh City School District in 1985. Helen was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Frank Paro; and two brothers, Raymond and Robert Ledwith.

She is survived by two daughters, Carol Denton and her husband Eugene of Contoocook, N.H., and Judy Bowen and her husband William of Plattsburgh; three sisters, Rita Stangrover and her husband George of Peru, Margaret Hough and her husband Kenneth of Sun City, Ariz., and Pauline Craig and her husband Timothy of Dannemora: her grandchildren, Danielle, Cassandra, Douglas, Justin, Kenley and Jillian; and several nieces and nephews.

At Helen's request, there will be no calling hours.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Donations in her memory may be made to Make-A-Wish or a charity of choice.

Ellenville, N.Y. — Almeda I. Hornbeck, of Ellenville, a homemaker and a resident of Ellenville since 1951, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at home, surrounded by her family. She was 86.

She was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on May 13, 1917, the daughter of Joseph F. and Helena (Blanchard) Forgette.

She is the widow of Harold James, who died in 1944, Steve Forkas who died in 1951 and Frank B. Hornbeck, who died on July 28, 1991.

She leaves three daughters, Barbara James Boyle of Port Henry, N.Y., Donna Forkas Rosselli of Ulster Heights and Pat Forkas Peters of Cragsmoor; two stepdaughters, Patti Hornbeck Startup of Ellenville and Carole Spalt of Port Ewen; a stepson, William Hornbeck of Kingston; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; and also many nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31st, at the Harland Funeral Home, 4279 Main St., Port Henry, N.Y.

Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Port Henry, N.Y.

Donations may be made to Hospice, Inc., 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401.

Willsboro — Myra A. Curtis, 79, of 111 East Bay Rd., Willsboro, N.Y., died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown, N.Y.

She was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sept. 15, 1923, the daughter of Charles W. and Matie Annis.

Mrs. Curtis graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Nursing and after graduation worked at the University Hospital. In 1960, Myra married P.H. Curtis, DDS of Penfield, N.Y., and continued nursing for the Rochester and Monroe County Visiting Nurse Service. After she and her husband moved to Willsboro, N.Y., in 1970, she was employed by the Essex County Nursing Service as a public health nurse until retirement in 1990.

On Saturday, May 31, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Lewis, N.Y., Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, a funeral discourse will be given. Friends are invited to attend. Cremation services will be offered by the Huestis Funeral Home.

Harkness — Orville F. Jack Keyes, 93, of the Fred Thew Road, died Thursday, May 29, 2003, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

He was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on Nov. 19, 1909, the son of William and Nellie (Rushlow) Keyes.

Mr. Keyes married the former Phyllis Carter on March 11, 1932; she predeceased him June 22, 1994.

Jack was a self-employed dairy farmer and was also employed at Georgia Pacific in Plattsburgh.

He was a charter member of the Keeseville Elks Lodge 2072 and the Peru Rod and Gun Club. He and his wife were leaders of the Brigadier Drum and Bugle Corp of AuSable Forks.

Survivors included one son and daughter-in-law, James and Millie Keyes of Peru; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Mary and Robert Rennell of Port Kent, Patricia Brown of Plattsburgh, Marcelete "Peggy" and John St. Clair of Peru and Dorothy and Dennis Prinsen of Peru; 31 grandchildren; 55 great - grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife; two daughters, Constance E. LaFontaine on Dec. 5, 1989, and Jane E. Souliere on July 18, 1996; four brothers, Warren, Pete, Lawrence and Patrick Keyes; and four sisters, Doris, Bertha, Mabel and Juanita.

Calling hours will be held Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. Members of the Elks will meet at the funeral home at 3 p.m. A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Harkness United Methodist Church in Harkness with Rev. Sally White, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Keeseville Rescue Squad or the Harkness United Methodist Church.

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