NEW BERLIN – Henrietta E. Thayer, 77 of Milford passed away peacefully on Monday November 7, 2016 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, New York.
She was born on May 5, 1939 in the Town of Middlefield, the daughter of J. Andrew and Esther (Moore) Wahl. Henrietta attended and graduated from school in Milford and thereafter attended trade school. On July 19, 1975 she married James S. Thayer. He predeceased her in 2008.
Henrietta worked as a home health aide for the Chenango County Public Health department in Norwich, NY for many years. Her family, especially her grandchildren and friends meant the most to her in her life and she was always loving and supportive. Kind and generous, she would do anything for anyone.
In addition to her husband, Henrietta was predeceased by all but two of her many brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her nine children, Joe Wahl of Chapel Hill, NC; Robin Nsar of Milford; Norman (“Skip”) Breslin of New Berlin; Douglas Rifanburg and his wife, Pam of Edmeston; Donald Rifanburg of New Berlin; Dennis Rifanburg of Schenevus; Dwayne Rifanburg and his wife Karen of Edmeston; and Jim Rifanburg and his wife Wendy of New Berlin; and Ann Thayer and her husband Rob of Oneonta. Henrietta is also survived by her step-son Paul Thayer of Hartwick and by 26 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Henrietta is also survived by her brother Walter Wahl of Madison, NY; her sister Matilda Brooks of Wappinger Falls, NY and her sister in law Harriet Smith (Lyle) of Cooperstown, NY.
The family will be in attendance during visiting hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday November 11, 2016 at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown. The funeral service will be Saturday 11 a.m. at Tillapaugh Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Fournier, pastor of the Milford Center Community Bible Church, officiating. Burial in the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery, Hartwick Seminary, NY will follow the service.
The family invites friends to join them at a reception held in the Edmeston Fire Hall in Edmeston immediately after the burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who so desire make contributions in Henrietta’s memory to either the “Alzheimer’s Association” c/o The Meadows, Suite 2, 140 County Highway 33 West, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to “Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc.”, 542 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are under the guidance of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown, NY.