Patricia K. Mayor, 58, teacher’s aide

Thursday, 19 November 2009 11:01

Patricia K. Mayor of Norwalk, Conn. died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Wilton Meadows in Wilton, Conn. She was 58 and the twin sister of Mary Lou Smith of South Salem.

Ms. Mayor was the wife of the late Frank M. Mayor, Jr. She was born in Bridgeport on May 26, 1951, daughter of the late James and Virginia Reck Dunsmore and had lived in Norwalk for most of her life. She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and has been a teacher’s aide for many years at the Rowayton School; a position, her family said, that she found truly rewarding dealing with children. She loved her family and loved to travel, her family said.

In addition to Ms. Smith, Ms. Mayor is survived by her children, Jeannette Marie Mayor of Norwalk, James Allan Keyser of Bridgeport, Conn.. Michael Reid Mayor of Stratford, Conn., and Jennifer Loren Keyser of Guilford, Conn.; and nephew Kevin Ireland Smith of Lake Placid, Fla.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 1719 Post Road in Fairfield, Conn., with burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery in Fairfield. Her family will receive friends at the Magner Funeral Home at 12 Mott Avenue in Norwalk on Sunday from 2 to 6.

Donations in her name may be made to the American Lung Assoc., 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT, 06108.

Mabel Kern, crocheted afghans

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 14:47

Mabel Kern, daughter of Louise Shellard and William Flacksenburg, died on Nov. 15.

Ms. Kern was predeceased by her husband Frank, her son Frank, and her brother Bill.

She is survived by her daughters, Fran Manning and Louise Moore; and 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Ms. Kern was born in Williamsburg and raised her family in Ridgewood and Glendale before retiring to Lewisboro.

Her hobby was crocheting afghans for all her family and friends. She was active in The Cross River Baptist Church and for many years the Lewisboro Seniors.

She will be remembered for her constant, quiet presence, and her unconditional love of family and friends, her family said.

The family will receive friends at Clark Associates Funeral Home at 4 Woods Bridge Road in Katonah on Friday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The service will also be held at the funeral home on Friday evening at 8. The following day, Sat. Nov. 21, committal prayers will be said at the funeral home at 9 a.m., followed by the burial at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Cross River Baptist Church, Route 35, #831, Cross River, New York 10518.

Robert J. Gallo, 78, business owner

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 13:49

Robert J. Gallo, a well-known member of the Lewisboro community, died in North Carolina on Nov. 16. He was 78.

Mr. Gallo was a nationally acclaimed stone mason and sculptor until his recent retirement, having been honored by the Architectural Digest magazine, Stamford Art Association and the Westchester Art Society. As a specialist in artistic residential masonry, his clients include a “who’s who” among the business and entertainment communities, his family said.

According to his family, Mr. Gallo loved children, loved to laugh, and was proud to be an Italian American who made many contributions to the Lewisboro community. An avid member of the Lewisboro Lions Club and the Italian-American Club, Mr. Gallo and his business, Gallo Stone Company, were contributors of both time and money to the community. Over the years, he coached basketball, raised funds for the Heart Association and the Kidney Foundation. His hobbies included travel, stone sculpting, and palette knife paintings.

Mr. Gallo is survived by his wife, Penni Gallo; daughters, Diane Gallo Ryder and Shanon Alves; son, Colin Logue; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

His funeral services will be handled by Clark Associates Funeral Home at 4 Woods Bridge Road in Katonah, with viewing on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and services at the funeral home on Monday, Nov. 23 at 1. Interment will follow at the South Salem Cemetery.

Elma Elizabeth Morrill, 97, teacher, traveler

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 12:42

Elma Elizabeth Morrill of South Salem, nee Perrigard, died on Oct. 29. She was 97.

Mrs. Morrill was predeceased by her husband, William Norman Morrill, her son Norman Morrill, and her daughter Barbara Carpenter-Morrill. She is survived by her son David Morrill of Bantam, Conn., daughter Elizabeth Lemke and son-in-law John Lemke of South Salem, daughter-in-law Hope Morrill, and son-in-law Tim Carpenter; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Morrill was born in Montreal, Canada, daughter of Dr. Ernest Perrigard and Sadie Perrigard, in 1912. She was an only child. She studied English Literature at McGill University, graduating second in her class with high honors on May 29, 1934. She received her master of arts degree in education from McGill in 1936, graduating first in her class, while simultaneously earning her teaching certificate in 1935. She had a keen interest in theater and was one of the founders of “The Pit,” a student hangout that still exists today.

In Montreal, she taught in elementary school and also taught high school English. While visiting the United States, she met her future husband and moved to Pound Ridge, marrying in 1938. They then moved to South Salem in 1949. Her husband was the founder and owner of Suburban Tree Service in Bedford Village. The Morrills were married for 48 years and together traveled the world. They especially loved Central America and South America and designed their own adventurous itineraries, such as staying in a native village, traveling by river, and combing the countryside for sites and stories

Mrs. Morrill’s positive outlook on life and charming sense of humor were inspirations to those around her, her family said. Family and friends describe her as gracious, giving, and a joy to be around.

An active volunteer, Mrs. Morrill was involved in scouting, local church work, and was a volunteer probation officer. She was also an active member of the American Association of University Women and local women’s clubs. Mrs. Morrill was one of the founders of the Lewisboro Elementary School Parent Teacher Association.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 at noon, at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 82 Spring Street in South Salem.

Donations be made in Mrs. Morrill’s name to a local volunteer organization or charity of your choice.

Virginia, M. Beers, 80, Yankees fan and homemaker

Written by Ken Mastro
Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:42

Virginia M. Beers died in her sleep on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Putnam County Hospital. She was 80, and a former Lewisboro resident.

Ms. Beers was born May 1, 1929, the daughter of Samuel Thorne and Gertrude Mead Thorne.

Ms. Beers spent her life as a homemaker and was known for her homemade pies at Thanksgiving, her family said. She loved bird watching and feeding the wild turkeys and deer in her backyard. Her hobbies were reading and the Yankees.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, John L Beers, a 96-year-old World War II veteran; sister Dorothy Pittman in North Carolina; children Virginia Bailey, John Gillette, Harry Beers, Susan Sinclair, David Beers, Garry Beers, Betsy Basler, and Shannon Beers; 22 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson on Friday, Oct. 30. Burial will take place at a later date at the South Salem Cemetery.