NORWICH – Thelma Arlene Haight Dean, 94, passed away quietly Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at Valley View Nursing Home in Norwich, where she had been gently and lovingly cared for as a resident for more than seven years.
Born in May of 1913 in Virgil, Thelma was the only child of loving parents Earl Garfield and Edith Sophronia (Lang) Haight. She spent her happy childhood and young adulthood in the family homes on Prospect Terrace in Cortland and the Mclean Road in Cortlandville. Thelma graduated from Cortland High School in 1931 and proceeded to earn her teaching certificate at Cortland Normal School, graduating in 1934. Her first leaching assignment was in a one room schoolhouse for grades kindergarten through eighth in Chenango Forks. On July 11, 1934, she married Robert William Nix, who predeceased her. In 1956, she married William Batten Dean in Hamilton. They jointly owned and operated “W. B. Dean Fine Jewelry” on Broad Street in Hamilton, and the “Hamilton Nursing Home” on Payne Street for many years. In 1966, she and Bill relocated to East Cayuga Street in the Village of North Norwich. While there she was an active member of the North Norwich United Methodist Church where she served as trustee, secretary, treasurer and as a member of the administrative board. She was also an Election Inspector and a member of the Board of Assessment Review for many years. Thelma was a member of the North Norwich Garden Club and the Order of the Eastern Star #511 in Hamilton, and Past Matron of O.E.S. #631 in Sherburne.
Thelma was widowed in 1970. She returned to her first love, teaching, and found joy in instructing second graders in North Norwich and Smyrna schools. It was her firm belief that education at any level is never lost or wasted. She retired in 1978. Thelma was a voracious reader, delighted in solving the Sunday times crossword, loved to play bridge, and for many years was a member of the North Norwich neighborhood card club. Her hands were rarely idle, resulting in many beautiful needlepoint, knitted and painted pieces. Her sense of humor was dry, and she enjoyed playing the protagonist in good, harmless practical jokes. A dedicated volunteer for Chenango Memorial Hospital for many years, she logged in several thousands of hours. She was a member of the Sherburne-Earlville Retired Teachers, Chenango County Retired Teacher, New York State Retired Teachers and NEA.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Nancy Ann Nix Karaman and Harold Palmer of Norwich; Joseph Karaman of Sherburne; three grandsons and their families: Michael and Gail Karaman and daughter Jennifer of Saline, Mich.; Thomas and Martha Karaman and children Emily, Bethany, Sarah and David of East Hamilton; Peter and Sandra Karaman and children Emma, Molly, Thaddeus, and Rebecca of Sherburne. Her eldest step-son, Robert W. “Bob” Dean of Newark Valley, predeceased Thelma in May of this year. His wife, Thelma’s daughter-in-law, Bea, is currently residing with Thelma’s grandchildren Karen and Steve Scoville and their daughter Alexandra of Fair Oaks, Calif. Also surviving is step-son Paul R. Dean and wife Sheila of Florenceville. New Brunswick, Canada; and step-grandchildren Dick and Cindy Dean and their son Sean of Mesa, Ariz., Cynthia and Jonathan Walsh and their children Emily, Katie, and Thomas of Millbrook, Ontario, Susan and Todd Hitchcock of Ocoee, Fla., and Michael and Marie Dean of Millbrook, Mass.
Thelma’s intelligence, wit, forthrightness, and quiet caring attitude will be forever sorely missed by all who loved her.
Funeral services for Thelma will be held at noon on Thursday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Anderson, pastor of the North Norwich United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in the Cortland Rural Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the service at noon.
Thelma’s wish, in lieu of flowers, is that contributions be made to the North Norwich United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 183, North Norwich, NY 13814.