The daughter of Charles "Fred" and Alice (Cosens) Tillapaugh, Myrna was born November 14, 1940, in Norwich and grew up helping out on the family dairy farm. She graduated from Norwich High School in the class of 1958.
Always active with her family and the community, she volunteered in numerous ways. She was a 4-H leader, a member of the Women’s Republican club, Garden Club, and Mount Hope Cemetery committee. Her professional life included being a secretary at Victory Markets, special assistant to former Senator Thomas Libous, and, for many years, the Chenango County Republican Board of Elections Commissioner. She was an avid painter and gardener who also enjoyed tending the family apple orchard.
Myrna was devoted to family as well and is survived by her children and their spouses: Vicki and Jon Zernes of Montross, Va., Joni and Stephen Boland of Troy, NY, Thomas and Mariam Wessels of Littleton, Colo., and Brian and Terri Wessels of Norwich; and her grandchildren: Kimberly and Gregory Boland, Anna and Madeline Wessels, Grant, Seth and Trent Wessels, and Jonathan, Austin and Harrison Matlack-Grey. Also surviving is her sister, Lorna Snow of Norwich, and in-laws Raymond and Mary Ann Wessels of Guilford and Richard and Helen Dickson of Sidney. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins. We would be remiss not to include her companion dog, Sadie, who she loved dearly.
Calling hours for Myrna will be held from 10 am to 1 pm, June 24th, at the the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Reception to follow at the American Legion on Sheldon Street from 1 pm to 4 pm for friends and family members to gather. There will be a private family internment on a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation, 179 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
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