Ella Wilcox Munch of Lewiston, NY, went to be with her Lord and Savior and “Best Friend”, Jesus Christ, on January 15, 2014 at the Elizabeth Church Manor Nursing Home in Binghamton, NY. Ella was born on January 30, 1919, in Binghamton, NY, the daughter of the late Harrison Jesse Wilcox, Sr., and Helen Beman Wilcox. She was active in the North Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school and participated in most all other church activities. As a child all weekends and summers were spent on her beloved family farm, the Wilcox Homestead Farm, in Smyrna, NY. Here she spent many hours riding her horse Bessie, visiting relatives, and enjoying meals (including her favorite homemade ice cream) with her “Papa”, her mother, and five brothers and sisters. Ella graduated from Binghamton Central High School and attended Syracuse University. For several years she taught kindergarten and first grade at Port Dickinson Elementary School.
She met and married Jack Oliver Munch in 1936 and they spent their years together in Smyrna, Oswego, Hamburg, and Lewiston, NY. She was active with the local Bridge and Canasta Clubs, served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and as a member of the Girl Scouts of America Governing Board for Niagara County. She was also a Rotary-Ann member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, as well as a member of The Mayflower Society. Ella was a wonderful cook, especially known for her homemade strawberry jam. She was always there to help others, day or night, and traveled wherever and whenever she was needed. Most people who knew Ella remember her tremendous love of life and enthusiasm and interest in all things. She was also a collector of many things (including owls), always explaining the collections were for others to enjoy.
She is survived by her son, Robert W. Munch of Ithaca, NY, daughter Margaret M. (Robert) Berds of Youngstown, NY, and sister-in-law Nancy Wilcox of Binghamton, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren Robert W. Munch of Urbana, OH, Douglas D. (Karen) Munch of Chesterfield, VA, Deborah J. Munch of Stanford, CT, John C. (Ingrid Reymers) Munch of Colden, NY, Stephen C. Berds of Youngstown, NY, and Patina C. Berds of Rochester, NY. Great-grandchildren include Courtney N. Munch and Matthew J. Munch. Her surviving nieces and nephews are Bonnie Tanzini, Cheri O’Brian, Barbara Johnson, June (James) Roth, Amy (Robert) Cassidy, Thomas Thompson, and Dr. Mark (Desiree) Henderson.
She is predeceased by her parents and her husband of 69 years, Jack O. Munch. She is also predeceased by her in-laws Audrey and Elmer Knowles, daughter Elizabeth Munch-Galas, brothers Robert H. (Doris) Wilcox and Harrison J. (Nancy) Wilcox, sisters Emily W. (John) Scovil, Mary W. (Clifford) Thompson, and Helen W. (George) Henderson, and nephew Harrison David Wilcox.
Ella is lovingly remembered by three very close friends who cared for her during her illness, Montana Goodsell and Mary Reynolds of Ithaca, NY, and Mary Messer of Niagara Falls, NY.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, at 12noon followed by a funeral service at 1pm at William R. Chase and Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango St., Port Dickinson, NY, 13901. Burial to be held in the spring at West Hill Cemetery, Sherburne, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Wilcox Homestead Farms, Box 4, Smyrna, NY 13464, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, website: alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.
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