Obituary of Elvira M. S. Rumsey

died at age 86 on January 12, 2008 at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Wellsboro, PA. Recently a resident of The Laurels at 39 Central Avenue, Wellsboro, Mrs. Rumsey formerly resided in Bath, NY and Westfield, PA. She was born December 3, 1921 in Arnot, PA to Carl August Anderson and Hilda Bloom Anderson and was the granddaughter of Swedish immigrants; Elvira was named Matilda Sophia, taking the names of both Swedish grandmothers. She was married on June 17, 1939 in Wellsboro, PA to Darold H. Rumsey. Mrs. Rumsey was predeceased in death by her husband of years who died on June 10, 2006 and by an infant daughter, Karyl Joy Rumsey who died on August 7, 1942. She is survived by one sister, Helen Verheyen, of Carlsbad CA, and by a daughter and son-in-law, Sonya R. and Gary M. Gleason. Also surviving her are three grandchildren: David Rumsey Gleason (and Lyla Naseem) of New York, NY; Sarah Elizabeth Taylor (and Jeremy Taylor) of Rochester, NY; and Kristina Karyl Gleason of Burlington, VT. Two great-grandchildren, Katelyn Kristina Taylor and Leo Gary Clive Taylor, cousins, Betty Sumner of Richmond, VA; Stuart Sherk of Wayne, PA; Lois Murphy of Norristown, PA. Nieces, Susan Sweet of Wellsboro, PA; Karen Durand of Falling Waters, WVA; Lisa Cassidy of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; Leola Porter of Rush, NY; Lola Trippel of Kent, WA; Joyce Broadbent of York, PA; Joan Abeling of Carlisle, PA; nephews, Harvey Rumsey of Westfield, PA; George Rumsey, Jr. of Watkins Glen, NY; Keith Simmons of Syracuse, NY, also survive Elvira. Mrs. Rumsey was a partner with her husband for over sixty years in numerous business ventures including a five-farm agricultural operation, an auctioneering business, a ballroom dance hall, the Cow Palace Restaurant, and a Welsh-Morgan performance driving pony entourage. Memberships and activities included Order of the Eastern Star, Business and Professional Women, Church Vestry, Church Altar Guild, Sunday School Teaching, and membership in various carriage driving societies. Most assuredly, Elviras greatest personal interests were maintaining written and spoken communication with friends, reading voraciously, and above all else her family, whom she loved without exception. Elviras life on earth will be celebrated at a service in her memory at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Wellsboro, PA at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2008. As she enters the spiritual realm to which she has always aspired, family members and guests will gather following the service at a reception at the Penn Wells Hotel on Main Street in Wellsboro to pay tribute and share memories of a life well-lived. Memorials may be given to St. James Episcopal Organ Fund, Lake and Main Streets, Hammondsport, NY or to the Wellsboro Relay for Life, 5 East Avenue, Wellsboro, PA.