BAINBRIDGE – Sarah Lillian Ives, 95, of Bainbridge, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she has resided for the last year. She was born on June 30, 1917, daughter of the late William and Winefred (Russell) Neale in Deposit, NY. Lillian graduated from Deposit High School and in 1940 received her Associates Degree in Food Management from Delhi Tech. On April 2, 1946, Lillian was married to Clarence H. Ives in Stilesville. He predeceased her in 1964. In 1965, Lillian began working for Afton Central Schools eventually becoming Cafeteria Manager, retiring in 1985.
After the untimely passing of her husband, with much help from friends and family, her strong faith and much prayer, Lillian raised their four children with all the love, patience and caring the dear Lord afforded her. She loved to read, especially her Bible, always wanting to be current. She loved to cook and bake, sew, making at least one quilt for each family member including all 20 great grandchildren, she loved to garden, growing flowers, feeding birds and watching them, sitting in the sunshine and was eager to go the minute anyone said, “do you want to go….” she was already on her feet. She also enjoyed playing board games and cards with her great-grandchildren. In her earlier years she wrote poetry and did some painting. She unselfishly made sweaters, quilts and donated to the needs of others as she was able. Lillian has been a longtime devoted member of the Afton First Baptist Church.
She was an incredible mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived her life with faith and grace, leaving a wonderful legacy for her family who have and will always reap the benefit of her humble and caring existence which will resound over and over in their lives forever.
Lillian is survived by her four children, Mildred Arlene Ives of Kingston, Pa; Phyllis Irene Ives Davis and her husband, Edward Lesperance, of Greene; Robert Charles Ives and his wife, Lu Ann, of Coventryville; and William (Willie) Richard Ives and his wife, Leslie, of Coventryville. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Steven Paul Davis of Oxford (Kia-fiancé); Keith Eric (Stephanie) Ives of Coventryville; Charlene Ann (Kirk) Hoyt of Coventryville; Lisa Marie (Trevor) Grant of Coventryville; Richard Charles (Shanda) Ives of Connecticut; Daniel Lee (Elizabeth) Ives of Vestal; Jason James (Mary) Ives of Greene; and Charles Shane Chapman of Coventryville, and great grandchildren, Keith, Jr. (KJ), Logan, McKenzie, Cassidy, Abigail, Kenneth, Hannah, Samuel, Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, Caleb, Seth, Sarah, Taevan, Noah, Cheyanne, Camren, Kaitlynn and Baby Ives who she didn’t get to meet.
Lillian is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Edith Neale of Deposit, her best friend, Pauline Commings, and a very loyal friend Donny Moffitt, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lillian was predeceased by three siblings, Bessie, Mary and Russell.
Friends are invited to call from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 29 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, NY 13838. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Afton, Caswell St., Afton, NY 13730. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in the Coventryville Cemetery. If one wishes, memorial donations in Lillian’s memory may be directed to the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center, 88 Calvary Drive, Norwich, NY 13815. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.