SIDNEY – Marie Elizabeth (Barnes) Rifanburg, 65, of Sidney, entered into eternal life on Oct. 22, 2010, surrounded by her family, as well as her constant companions, Lilly and Ranger.
Marie was born in Sidney on Nov. 17, 1944, to the late Levi and Gladys M. (Thompson) Barnes. She leaves behind her husband of 30 years, Leslie (Les) W. Rifanburg; and three daughters, Lisa Dann and husband Peter Pasquaretta of Colchester, Conn.; Michelle (Dann) and husband David Stewart of Danville, Indiana; and Melinda (Dann) and husband David Livingston of Sidney; three stepsons, Shane Rifanburg of Buffalo; Eric Rifanburg of Grove City, Pa.; and Dean Rifanburg of Greene; and four grandchildren, Carly and Jilleen Livingston, and Andrew and Jeffrey Stewart. She was predeceased by a daughter, Theresa Marie Dann. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Barnes, of Sidney Center, a nephew, Robert Harder, of Sidney Center; and a cousin, Cindy (Barnes) DeMarmels of Harpursville.
Marie was a 1962 graduate of Sidney High School. She worked for several years at The Old Mill restaurant in Mt. Upton and then went on to enjoy a successful career at The Hospital in Sidney, as a Medical Billing Specialist, where she retired after 28 years in 2000. Marie was a long time, active member of the Columbus Community Church in Columbus, where she served as church treasurer and then church clerk for over 20 years. Marie enjoyed a life of abundant blessings and simple pleasures. Her house was always a home to all who entered there and the kitchen was definitely the “heart of the home” for her family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and talented baker and was known for her delicious German potato salad and world-class apple pies. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds – knitting, crocheting, needlework, and card making, but she especially loved quilting and made many beautiful pieces for family and friends. Marie was an avid flower gardener and grew many of her favorite flower, the dahlia. She enjoyed seeing Broadway shows and her favorite was The Lion King. She loved going to visit her daughters where they would enjoy shopping, going to craft shows, and just spending time together as a family. Marie’s kind and gentle spirit and warm smile will be so missed by everyone who knew her.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to our extended family, Bill Dann, and Becky (Dann) Leidy, and friends of the family, Jim and Linda Karl, for their unconditional love and support all through Marie’s long and courageous battle. In addition, they would like to thank the many doctors and nurses at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown and Bassett Regional Cancer Center in Oneonta for their dedication to Marie’s care during this most difficult and challenging time. Thank you, also, to the nurses and staff from Catskill Hospice, whose compassion and commitment to home-based health care enabled us to care for Marie in the warm and loving comforts of her own home. The family has been deeply touched by the overwhelming outpouring of cards, letters, flowers, thoughts and prayers by all of Marie’s friends and their families during the last year. Finally, a very special thank you to Senior Pastor Stephen Reese, Columbus Community Church, for his gift of friendship, love and support to Marie over the last 20 plus years.
In lieu of flowers, Marie requested that donations be made to the Columbus Community Church, 4311 State Highway 80, New Berlin, NY 13411.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty St., Sidney on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends before the service from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be private.
Arrangements under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney.