PLYMOUTH – Myrtle Grace Rothwell, 93, of Plymouth and Sherburne, passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2006 at the New York State Veterans’ Home of Oxford.
Born in Russell, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1913, Myrtle was the daughter of Page and Carry (Dryer) Chambers. She attended school in Zion, Ill., and at the young age of 17 married Ernest E. Rothwell. Following their marriage, the Rothwells moved to Ernest’s home state of Kansas and in 1934 came east and settled in Peekskill. Following World War II, they relocated to Earlville, and in 1954 the family moved to Plymouth where in addition to operating a dairy farm, Myrtle and her husband established a horse riding business and eventually the Circle R Saddlery Store. Upon retirement in 1985, Myrtle and her husband wintered in Florida and traveled throughout the United States.
Throughout her life she devoted herself to her family and to helping Ernest with their businesses. Myrtle was involved in the community and was a member of the Auxiliary of the Plymouth Fire Department. She also taught Sunday School at the Plymouth Methodist Church.
Myrtle is survived by her children: Norma Onyan and companion Edward Smith of Cooperstown; Geraldine Irwin and husband Charles of Daytona Beach, Fla.; Carolyn Miles and husband Norman of Sherburne; Richard Rothwell and wife Patricia of Plymouth; Robert Rothwell and wife Sally of Plymouth; Edward Rothwell and wife Frances of South Plymouth; Roy Rothwell and wife Sandy of Plymouth; and Loren Rothwell of Dillsboro, N.C.; by 26 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Myrtle is survived by her sisters-in-law, Kay Chambers of Pocotello, Idaho and Lois Chase of Stuart, Va., and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest on Jan. 16, 1997; her sister Edith Yoder; and brothers Delbert and Glenn Chambers.
Funeral services for Myrtle will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment will be in the South Side Cemetery of Plymouth. Calling hours will be held at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m.
The family has requested memorial contributions be sent to the Plymouth Fire Dept. and Emergency Squad, Plymouth, NY 13832; or to the Pratt Newton Memorial Home, 12 Main Street, Sherburne, NY 13460.