Phyllis Thelma (McLean) Hanford
ONEONTA — Phyllis Thelma (McLean) Hanford, 95, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at the Chestnut Ridge Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born on April 1, 1917, in Bloomville, the daughter of James and Hetty (Martin) McLean.
She married Orrin W. Hanford on June 28, 1937, at the Hanford family homestead in East Meredith. They were married 61 years, and lived in Oneonta, Goodyear Lake and Stuart, Fla.
Phyllis graduated from Bloomville High School in 1935, where she was the salutatorian of her class. For 13 years, prior to her retirement, she worked for ECD Bendix.
Phyllis was a dedicated and active member of the River Street Baptist Church.
She will always be remembered for her love of cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, and gardening, which she passed on to all of her children.
Her family was always first in her life, and her pride and joy. We are all grateful for the sacrifices both parents made throughout our lives, always putting family first.
Surviving are her four children, Hetty (Jack) Adams of Cooperstown, Ruth (Percy) Decker of Syracuse, Ethel Gardner of Goodyear Lake, and James Hanford Sr. of Davenport; her grandchildren, Daniel (Sophia), Michael (Terri) Tim (Diane) Adams, Debra (Joseph) Simon, Darin Decker, James Jr., Angela (Wayne) Forsythe, Mark (Melissa) Hanford, Larry Jr. (Susan), Anthony (Joy), Craig (Kelly) Gardner; her great-grandchildren, Brett, David, John and Nicole Adams, Jennifer Smith, Jacqueline Rosenberg, Joseph Jr., and Jessica Simon, Michael and Sierra Hanford, Patricia and Desiree Forsythe, Kyle Cassidy, Steven (Fallon) Adria, Ben, Max, Sam and Michael Gardner and Reece Spatafora. She is also survived by her three sisters, Phoebe Mattice of Oneonta, Jenny Crandall of Otego, and Margaret Donafrio of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Besides her husband, Orrin, Phyllis was predeceased by her brothers, William and Kenneth McLean, and Claude Turk; a son-in-law, Larry Gardner; and her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Mattice Sr., and William Crandall.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at the River Street Baptist Church, River Street, Oneonta, at which time the family will be in attendance. A funeral service will be at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Mel Farmer, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the River Street Baptist Church, River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting the website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
