Obituaries: 12/30/05

Mary A. Couture

DANNEMORA -- Mary A. Couture, 84, of Bouck Street, Dannemora, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at home with all of her family beside her.

She was born in Redford on Aug. 5, 1921, the daughter of Samuel and Nettie (Durocher) Collins. She married Amos A. Couture at the Church of the Assumption in Redford on March 25, 1940. Mary Couture was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora.

She was a very caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and visiting with her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Amos Couture and six children; three sons, Earl Couture and wife Jeannette of Chateaugay Lake, Clem Couture and wife Patty of Dannemora, David Couture and wife Jan of Saranac; three daughters, Linda Donah and husband Jerry of Morrisonville, Mary Lou Moody and husband Al of Saranac Lake, Sharon Recore and husband Kenny of Saranac; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Lena Facteau and Anna Facteau; and four brothers, Alexander, Thomas, Leo and Clem Collins.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the O'Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday from St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora. Interment will be in the parish cemetery in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the North Country or the Dannemora Fire Department.

William (Bill) Eustace Dirolf

PLATTSBURGH -- William (Bill) Eustace Dirolf, 84, of 129 Nevada Oval, Plattsburgh, N.Y., and formerly of Malone, N.Y., died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh.

Bill was born on April 21, 1921, in North Creek, N.Y., the son of William H. Dirolf and Flossy M. (McLaughlin) Dirolf.

Following graduation as valedictorian of North Creek High School in 1938, Bill attended Hamilton College, where he was elected to Quadrangle, the honorary freshman society. He joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and was elected fraternity president during his junior year. Bill also played the clarinet and served as president of the Hamilton College Band during his senior year. He was also the manager of the Hamilton College soccer team.

After receiving his B.A. from Hamilton College in 1942, Bill attended Harvard University, where he earned his Industrial Administrator Degree in 1943.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and was called to active duty in April 1943. He worked in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and served in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon. He received his honorable discharge in November 1945.

On July 26, 1947, Bill married Elizabeth Carol Fitzgerald at St. James Church, North Creek, N.Y.

Bill worked as an accountant for A & B Oil Corporation, North Creek, N.Y., National Lead Company, Tahawus, N.Y., and New York City, N.Y., and Barton Mines, North Creek, N.Y. In 1955, Bill began his long career with New York state, working as a tax auditor for the Division of Unemployment Insurance in Utica, N.Y. In 1966, he was promoted to Senior Unemployment Tax Auditor and moved with his family to Malone, N.Y. At the time of his retirement in 1986, Bill was Tax Supervisor, overseeing field audit and collection activities covering Jefferson, Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties in northern New York.

Bill enjoyed taking an active role in the Malone community. He was elected to the Malone Central School Board of Education and served as the Secretary-Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 26. He was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, Rotary Club, Fish and Game Club and Malone Golf and Country Club. He sang bass in both the St. Joseph Church Choir and North Franklin Ecumenical Choir.

During his retirement, Bill loved to visit with his children and grandchildren and to watch his grandchildren play basketball, baseball and soccer. A life-long NBA devotee, Bill rooted heartily for his favorite team, the San Antonio Spurs. He enjoyed long walks, cross-country skiing and listening to his Big Band jazz collection of the 30s and 40s. An avid reader, Bill had a special passion for World War II history books.

In November 2001, he and his wife Carol moved to Plattsburgh, N.Y., where he was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Fitzgerald Dirolf; four daughters, Dr. Elizabeth A. Krell and her husband Dr. Kenneth Krell of Hagerstown, Md., Mary Patricia Dirolf of Gaithersburg, Md., Margaret R. Dirolf of Los Angeles, Calif., and Kathryn M. Frascella and her husband Dr. Joseph Frascella of Rockville, Md.; two sons, Paul M. Dirolf of Keeseville, N.Y., and John F. Dirolf of AuSable Forks, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, Paul, David and Michael Krell, Kathryn Farren, Isaac, Nicole and Stephanie Dirolf and Andrew and Julianna Frascella; and one sister, Thelma Dirolf Kiesz of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Calling hours will be held at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, N.Y., on Friday, Dec. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, at Our Lady of Victory Church with the Rev. Floyd J. Bleaux Jr. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to Holy Name School, 5 Pleasant St., P.O. Box 658, AuSable Forks, NY 12912.

Marian Dow Liebig Bouton

NORTH HEBRON, N.Y. -- Marian Dow Liebig Bouton, 89, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, at Indian River Health & Rehabilitation Center, surround by her loving family.

Born Jan. 24, 1916, in Saranac, N.Y., she was the daughter of Harry and Marjorie (Allen) Dow.

She graduated from Cadyville High School in 1931 and from Plattsburgh State Normal in 1935. She taught school for a number of years.

Marian married Truman T. Liebig Sr. in 1938. Mr. Liebig died in 1977.

She worked for the Department of Social Services for 15 years as a senior caseworker.

In 1984, she married Clifford C. Bouton. Mr. Bouton died in 1998.

Mrs. Bouton was active in the South Granville Church, Mettowee Valley Senior Citizens, as well as a member of the Slate Valley Garden Club.

She enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Survivors include one son, Truman Liebig Jr., of North Hebron; three daughters, Marilyn Nolan of Cambridge, Laurene Liebig of Johnstown and Sharon Gordon of North Hebron; one brother, Linton Dow of Morrisonville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; she had three stepchildren, Shirley Thompkins, Robert Bouton and Alice Winters; and a number of nieces and nephews; stepgrandchildren; and stepgreat-grandchildren.

A funeral was held at the Robert M. King Funeral Home in Granville. Burial was in the North Hebron Cemetery.

Betty Jean Garrand

PLATTSBURGH -- Betty Jean Garrand, 72, of South Catherine Street, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Chazy Lake on May 18, 1933, the daughter of Clifford and Theresa (Dubray) Martin.

Mrs. Garrand married Richard Garrand at St. Peter's Church. Mr. Garrand died July 7, 2000.

Betty was a certified nurse's aide for 20 years.

A very spiritual person, Betty's faith allowed her to endure many hardships in her life. She was involved in the Senior Citizens Council and enjoyed being with her friends. Concerts, computer classes and French classes were just a few of the activities she participated in. As a devoted New York Yankee fan she never missed a game, with Derek Jeter being her favorite player. She enjoyed listening to the Irish Tenors and Danielle O'Donnell, attending many of their concerts.

Survivors include one son, Scott Garrand and Marcie Wyand of Plattsburgh; two daughters, Shelley and Gary Bertrand of Morrisonville and Amy Garrand and Robert King of West Chazy; two brothers, Allan and Kay Martin of Plattsburgh and Hugh and Velma Martin of Saranac; two sisters-in-law, Joan Martin of Plattsburgh and Rita Martin of Saranac. Betty also has three grandchildren of whom she was very proud, Kristin Bertrand, Justin Bertrand and Katelyn Reid.

She was predeceased by one son, Marc Kerry Garrand, on Dec. 2, 1993; and two brothers, Miles Martin on July 10, 1993, and Clarence Martin on Dec. 12, 1993.

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

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh.

Entombment will follow in Whispering Maples Memorial Gardens, Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh.

Memorial donations may be made to the Senior Citizens Council, 23 Elm St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

The R.W. Walker Funereal Home is in charge of arrangements.

Grace Cora (Deo) Poquette

ALBURG, Vt. -- Grace Cora (Deo) Poquette, 78, a lifelong member of this community, passed to a New Life on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, surrounded by her children. She was born in Alburg, Vt., on Sept. 10, 1927, the daughter of Alex and Martha (Aubin) Deo.

Grace had a keen mind and was interested in travel and history. She operated her own barbershop for over 30 years and was extremely fond of her customers, who became her friends. She also made home and prison visits. In her free time, Grace enjoyed square dancing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, biking and gardening, including the Korean Veterans Monument at the bridge.

Grace is survived by her three children, Rosalind Clark and husband Matt of Hampden, Mass., Garland and his wife Patty Poquette of Sarasota, Fla., and Katrina and husband Phil Evringham of Bergen, N.Y.

She was predeceased by her youngest son, Tracy, in 1998.

She is survived by 11 grandchildren, Jocelyn, John, Holly, Angelique, Lyle, Laurette, Suzette, Chad, Courtney, Leah and Lindsey; and seven great-grandchildren, Jacquilyn, John, Peter, Thomas, Arianna, Ajayla and Corey. Also survived by a sister, Leona Bourgeois; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Deyo; niece Shelby Nugent; caregivers Carol Cleland and Candy Bosley; special cousins Beatrice, Henry and Jane.

Grace was very active with St. Amadeus Church, Bible Study Group and was a Third Order Franciscan as well as a CCD teacher. She participated in other Island Churches with her ecumenical vision. Her civic interests included the Historical Society, Library Book Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Islands in the Sun Senior Citizens, Chamber of Commerce and the Catholic Council of Women.

The Liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at noon from St. Amadeus Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Alburg Village. Father Maurice U. Boucher, SSE, will be the celebrant and homilist. Interment will follow in the Poquette family lot in St. Amadeus Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Friday morning at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary of St. Amadeus Church, when the family will be in attendance.

Gifts in Grace's memory may be made to C.I.D.E.R, P.O. Box 13, South Hero, VT 05486 or also in the form of Masses.

Online condolences may be directed to Grace's family via: www.kiddermemorialhome.com

Deaths:

PERCY J. DE LAIR, 92, of Tupper Lake, died Dec. 27, 2005, at Mercy Healthcare Center, where he had resided since 2002.

Calling hours were held on Thursday at the Fortune-Keough- Rennell Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church.

A full obituary will appear at a later date.

VIRGINIA C. McCORMICK, 85, of Bear Swamp Road, Peru, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Ballston Spa.

She was born in Pottersville, Dec. 11, 1920, the daughter of Vernon and Mabe (Allen) Culver.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Harkness United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Harkness Cemetery.

A complete obituary will be in a later edition of the Press-Republican.

Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home.