EAST PHARSALIA – Olive Isabell Sayles, 84, of East Pharsalia, passed away Friday night, Aug. 14, 2009, in her home, surrounded by her loved ones, after a long illness.
Born Olive Isabell Stedman in Walton in September of 1924, Olive was the daughter of Enoch and Marguerite Naylor Stedman. She attended school in Walton, but left home at a young age to work as a tumbler with Barnum and Bailey Circus, where she was known as Sherry O’Day. In her early years she had also belonged to the Knights of Arabia Tumbling Team in Syracuse, and had once danced with Shirley Temple. On Oct. 28, 1945, Olive married Lloyd G. Sayles. In 1951, they moved to East Pharsalia and resided there for 50 years prior to Lloyd’s death on April 10, 2001. Olive held various jobs over her years, including the Norwich Shoe Company, where she worked from the early 1960s through the late 1970s when she retired due to poor health. Known throughout her life as “Aunt Sherry” to her nieces. Olive enjoyed making raisin bread and her own sauerkraut.
Olive is survived by her children: Melba Phillips of Virginia, Linda Collier and husband Ernie of East Pharsalia, Evelyn Sayles of East Pharsalia, Margaret Wilcox of Preston, and Martin Sayles and Tammy of Smyrna; by 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; her sister, Nina Dejoy of Davenport Center; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Olive was predeceased by her parents, her sister Ruth Henderson, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons.
Funeral services for Olive will be private and at the convenience of her family. There will be no calling hours. Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.