Thelma D. Cortright
MILFORD — Thelma D. Cortright, 86, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at Fox Memorial Nursing Home.
Born May 27, 1926, in Buffalo, the daughter of Hobert and Gladys (Schutt) Depew, Thelma was a graduate of VanEtten Central School, Class of 1941, as salutatorian. On Nov. 4, 1943, she married Robert F. Cortright in Van Etten, N.Y. He predeceased her in 1969.
Prior to her marriage, Thelma worked as a waitress at Mountain Top in Waverly. Later she was the office assistant for Dr. James Cargill in Van Etten for four years and then, when she moved to Milford, she worked as a medical secretary in the Pediatric Department at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown for 32 years prior to her retirement in 1991.
She was a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, where she held many offices over the years, including president of United Methodist Women, financial secretary, parish treasurer, Memorial Committee chairwoman and trustee.
She was a member of the Susquehanna Valley Senior Citizens, where she held offices of president, treasurer and served as representative on Otsego County Council of Senior Citizens for many years.
After retirement, she also volunteered at Bassett Hospital and was a volunteer for reading at Milford Central School. She was a member of the Keepsake Quilt Club and the Wednesday Craft Group. She loved sewing, crafting and quilting. She also enjoyed her flower gardens and lawn work.
After retirement, she enjoyed traveling to many countries and also seeing the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska. She will be remembered for her extensive Santa Claus Collection. She also spent much time with and traveled with her cousins while researching family genealogy.
In 1999 Thelma was awarded the New York State Legislature Achievement Award for outstanding effort and dedication to the task of improving the quality of life for New York State Senior Citizens.
She is survived by her two daughters, Linda and her husband Merle Olmsted and Gladys and her husband Ricky Cornish; five grandchildren, Robert Olmsted of South Boston, Mass., Scott Olmsted and his wife Jean of West Chester, Pa., Benjamin Cornish of Syracuse, Meghan Cornish of Kirkville and Erin Cornish of Ronkonkama. She is also survived by one great-grandson, Nathaniel Olmsted, the grandson of Jean and Scott, and cousin Doris Kirchen of Chicago, Ill. In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews, Barbara and Tom Thornton, Kenneth and Elaine Depew, Lon and Joanne Depew, Donna and Robert Miller and Wendy and Darwin Simcoe.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Charles, William and Warren; a daughter, Beth Ann, and nephews, Renny and Daryl.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. at the Milford United Methodist Church, with Rev. Maryellen Moore, pastor, officiating. Burial in the Milford Cemetery will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Thelma’s memory may be given to the Robert F. Cortright Scholarship Fund, Milford United Methodist Church, Milford, NY 13807.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.
