NORWICH – Marion A. Sawyer, 87, long-time Norwich resident, passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug. 5, 2011, at the Chase Memorial Nursing Home of New Berlin, where she had made her home for the past several years.
Marion was born in Syracuse on May 13, 1924, to the late Harry E. and Erma Foster Mundy. On July 1, 1944, in Norwich, she married Robert E. Sawyer, and together they raised three children: Kathleen, Marjory, and Michael. In her early years, Marion worked as a telephone operator for the local phone company. She did child care for 16 years, then embarked on a 9-year career as a crossing guard for the City of Norwich Police Dept. She enjoyed refinishing furniture, planting flowers, garage saleing, feeding the birds, and morning coffee at McDonald’s.
Marion is survived by her children: Marjory Stopera and husband Stan, Kathleen Kingsley and companion Don Cummings, and Michael Sawyer and wife Nancy, all of Norwich; by her grandchildren: Kelly Beeching of Syracuse, Karen Nabinger and husband Ed of Manlius, and Erica and Justin Sawyer; by her great grandson, Steve Beeching; and by her best friend, Beulah Alger.
Marion was predeceased by her husband, Robert, on March 19, 1995; by her infant grandson, Robert “Robby” Sawyer in 1982; and by her step-brother and his wife, Richard and Leila Mundy.
Memorial services for Marion will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the Earlville Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Marion in a giving manner may do so by donating to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Rd. 32, Norwich, NY 13815 (representing Marion’s love of animals) or to Chase Memorial Nursing Home Life Focus (care of companion pets), One Terrace Heights, New Berlin, NY 13411.