Marie O. Gleason

Marie O. Gleason, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 98, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

Friends and family are invited to call on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Marie’s service will follow calling hours at 8:00pm with Elaine Gleason officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Marie’s name to the Yates County Humane Society or the Penn Yan American Legion Scholarship Fund.

Marie was born on May 23, 1914 in Mariposa, Chenango County, NY to Earle & Ida (Hinds) Ossont. While she was young, the Ossont family moved to DeRuyter, NY where she attended and graduated from DeRuyter High School. Near the beginning of WWII, she moved to Elmira, NY with her sister Della Fredericksen and established and operated the City’s first State Licensed Day Care Center. After the closing of the day care center, they both worked in the City of Elmira’s school system caring for children of Defense Workers. After the war, Marie and her husband, Philip Gleason, relocated to Yates County where they owned and operated Guyanoga Grocery Store. In 1948 they moved to Penn Yan and later purchased the Country Store in Milo Center, which remained open until 1964. Marie was employed in Penn Yan School cafeterias following the store closing until her retirement in 1972. The American Legion Auxiliary is the only organization she belonged to. She preferred being at home reading, crocheting, quilting and completing many woodworking projects. She made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren, plus some for special friends.

She is survived by her son, P. Earle (Elaine) Gleason of Penn Yan, NY and two daughters, June Putnam of Fort Plain, NY and Natalie Blauvelt of Penn Yan, NY, brothers Robert Ossont of Sheds, NY; Willard Ossont of New Hartford, NY and her sister, Della Fredericksen of Farmington, ME; 14 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and their children. She was predeceased by her husbands Harold Mowers & Philip Gleason. She was also predeceased by her brother, Raymond Ossont; son-in-law Howard Blauvelt and sisters-in-law Lorraine & Joan Ossont.

Family and friends may sign the guestbook at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com