Published: 5/31/04

Farmington, Conn. — Miss Niyonu Irene Kahn, 31, of Avon, Conn., and formerly of Plattsburgh, died Thursday, May 27, 2004, after a lifelong challenge of living with cystic fibrosis. Niyonu was born on March 4, 1973, daughter of Kay Branagan and MaryEllen Casselman-Branagan and Allyn Kahn.

She graduated from Beekmantown Central School in 1991, where she was on the varsity track and field team and played trumpet in the marching band. Niyonu was a committed Girl Scout, earning a Gold Award and working several years as a camp counselor at Lake Clear. She attended Plattsburgh State University, majoring in Africana studies. She worked for Montgomery Wards, Steinbecks and Hitchcock's and enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and her cats. Niyonu touched a great many lives. At 3-months-old, with her blue eyes and her honey brown afro, she challenged the current thinking that children with cystic fibrosis were not adoptable. At 2-years, she and a group of other children with disabilities successfully forced New York State to implement the law providing medically subsidized adoptions.

Besides her moms and father, Niyonu is survived by a daughter, Gabrielle RoseMary Kahn, at home; two brothers, John Kahn and companion Tracey Burns and Mykel Dorsey; six sisters, Rebeka Branagan, Marama Branagan and husband David Pramanik, Ixchel Branagan, Bridget Kahn, Fasharra Branagan and Akiva Branagan; stepbrother Matthew Casselman; Mom Lorraine; Aunt Leah; and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dorsey; and special friend Tim Clancy.

She is predeceased by her grandparents, Kenneth and RoseMary Branagan.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 1, 2004, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will follow at 4:30 p.m. with the Rev. John Sorensen, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church in Plattsburgh, officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Niyonu wanted to encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor. Donations in her memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to the local Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk for Life.

FAYLENE (HAYES) LEROUX, 91, died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at Horace Nye Home in Elizabethtown. She was born in Elizabethtown, April 23, 1913, the daughter of Archie and Minnie (Fleury) Hayes. She was married for many years to the late Ernie Leroux.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at W.M. Marvins Sons funeral home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Elizabeth’s in Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

MARK A. RABIN, of Ridgewood Drive, Plattsburgh, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown. Services will be held 2 p.m. today at Temple Beth Israel. Interment will follow in Beth Israel Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

LINDA FRIEDMAN, 59, of Chasands Drive, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. She was born in Newburg on Oct. 6, 1944.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Helen R. Morse, 81, of Beekman Towers, Plattsburgh, died Friday, May 29, 2004, at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home.

She was born in Chazy on Sept. 9, 1922, the daughter of Albert and Susan (Lucia) Rock.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 1st, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, followed by services at the funeral home chapel at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Mountainview Cemetery in Castleton-On-Hudson, N.Y., at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

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