Judy A. (Clark) Donovan

Wellsville, NY - Judy A. (Clark) Donovan, 67, of 2868 B. Larchwood Drive passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 20, 2019 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born  April 29, 1951 in Cuba, and was raised in Scio by Marjorie Clark. 

Judy was a loving partner, mother, and, grandmother affectionately known by her grandchildren as Meme. After graduating from Scio Central School in 1969, she was employed by both Citizens and Columbia Banks in Wellsville. Judy went on to be co-owner of Donovan's Eastern Supply Co. Inc. in Olean for nearly 30 years. In her retirement, Judy enjoyed serving lunch at the Wellsville Elementary School cafeteria, rocking babies at the Lutheran Day Care, and volunteering at the Hart Comfort House. 

She is survived by her partner, Jim Potter, two sons Gregory (Laurie) and Patrick (Jessica),  three grandchildren, Nora, Olivia, and Jacob, a brother, Jerry (Kathleen) Burrell, and one nephew. She was predeceased by her son, Marc in 1981, her mother, Marjorie Clark, a brother, Jody Sherwood, and a niece, Kristine Burrell.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 24, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W.  Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Friday January 25, at 2:00 pm at the Wellsville United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth “Bess” (O’Brien) Mulligan

Belmont NY - Elizabeth “Bess” (O’Brien) Mulligan left this world to join her Lord and Savior and beloved family members on Friday, January 18, 2019. She was a tribute to a life well-lived.  Bess is survived by her three children: Susan Mulligan McNamee of Nashua, NH; Pegg Mulligan Mitchell and her husband Paul of North Hornell, NY; Jim Mulligan and his wife Sharon of Belmont, NY.  She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, who fondly called her Mahara; 14 great grandchildren; and many treasured cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was predeceased by her husband Leo, as well as her beloved siblings: Alice Keenan, Frank O'Brien, Josephine Jago, Helen Connor, Matthew O'Brien and Rachel McGarrity.

Born in Scio, NY on July 29, 1922, Bess was the fifth child of Terrance and May (Lewis) O’Brien.  One of seven children, Bess enjoyed a childhood on the O’Brien family farm in Scio.  Her brother Frank O’Brien captured some of the stories of their life in his 1994 book Frank, the Cows Are Out!  While walking along the road to the family farm as a teenager, Bess first encountered Leo (Fetch) Mulligan, a Belmont man seven years her senior.  Leo tried to give Bess a ride home to the farm, offering that he knew the O’Brien family.  Unconvinced, Bess declined the ride and sent Leo on his way.  In 1940, Bess left Scio for Buffalo, NY to attend the Meyer Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.  She returned to Allegany County following graduation, and began her work as a registered nurse (RN) at Jones Memorial Hospital, (JMH) in Wellsville where she remained for over 40 years.  In 1944, Bess treated a familiar face when Leo Mulligan was admitted with pneumonia.  Leo and Bess courted for 7 years, and were married on June 6, 1951 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Scio, NY.  Leo and Bess were engaged community members at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and Bess remained active through the Altar and Rosary Society.  They were married for 47 years, until Leo’s passing in 1997.

Bess was a passionate and dedicated RN; in 1982, her work was recognized when she became the inaugural recipient of JMH Nurse of the Year award. During the course of her four decades as charge nurse at JMH, Bess was a well-respected and well-loved caregiver for Allegany County patients.  Bess continued to care for people in the community, often answering calls at home and after hours.  The daughter of a Welsh immigrant and third-generation Irish immigrant, Bess devoted much of her free time to welcoming new immigrants to the community, and providing them with care and assistance throughout their first years in NY State.

Bess’ love and dedication to her patients, family, and friends was one of her great joys in life.  In addition to caring for others, Bess enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling with Leo in their shared retirement years.  She will be remembered by her family for her great kindness and spirited approach to life.  

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 24 from 4pm to 7pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Friday, January 25 at 10:00 am  at the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Church, 5 Milton Street in Belmont. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations in Elizabeth Mulligan's name to the Allegany County Office of the Aging, 6085 State Route 19N, Belmont, NY  14813 or to Jones Memorial Hospital, 191 N Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Arlouine E. Seeley

Belmont, NY - Arlouine E. Seeley, age 92, formerly of Schuyler Street passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born on May 8, 1926 in Buffalo to the late William and Marguerite Denison Allen. On May 27, 1946 in Elmira she married Theodore L. Seeley who predeceased her on February 4, 1965.

Arlouine worked for many businesses including the Belmont Hotel, J.J. Newberrys, Acme Electric, and for ACES in Alfred. She enjoyed a good bingo game and enjoyed interacting and welcoming any new neighbors. She was a 60 year member of the American Legion Post #808 Auxiliary of Belmont and will be remembered as a very proud woman.

Survivors include her son, Theodore “Ted” (Roberta)  Seeley of Belmont; a daughter, Sonya Hand of Belmont; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; a great great granddaughter; 2 sisters, Sandra (James)  Fitzpatrick of Whitesville, Phyllis (Bruce)  Green of Portville; 2 brothers, Ronald (Carol)  Allen of Wellsville, and Duane (Shirley)  Allen of Whitesville; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Ted; a son in law Richard Hand; a great grand daughter; a brother, Richard (Marie)  Allen; a sister, Rachel  (Roger)  Lewis; a brother in law Dennis Grantier; a sister in law Patricia Allen; several  nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior visitation and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Arlouine will be buried with her husband in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials in her name may be made to the SPCA. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Anna “Anita” M. Foote

 Belmont, NY - Anna “Anita” M. Foote, age 81, of South Street joined her family in Heaven on Friday January 11, 2019. She was born on September 14, 1937 in Trier Germany to the late Nikolaus and Caroline Toelkes Hettinger. On August 25,  1961 in Germany she married George B. Foote who predeceased her on December 17, 1998.

Anita had worked on a US Air Force Base in Germany where she met and later married Airman George  Foote who was stationed there. In 1962 they moved to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and later moved to several different Air Force Bases. After her husband retired from the Air Force they settled in Waldorf Maryland and in 1997 they moved to Belmont. Anita worked hard and was very proud of her US Citizenship and was a devoted military wife and a stay at home mom. When her children had grown she began working at Ames Department Store in Waldorf where she made many friends. While in Belmont she kept busy by bowling, traveling, reading, and entertaining family and her many good friends. Anita was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville and the Amity Rescue Squad Ladies Auxiliary. She will be remembered as a die hard Washington Redskins Fan!

Survivors include her 2 daughters, Sylvia (Dan Coleman)  McComb of Wellsville and Diana Falcone of Lusby, MD.; 7 grandchildren, George Buchler, Michael Buchler, Amanda Kelley, Mickey Buchler, Jennifer Marth, Katie Mills, and Danny G. Coleman; 12 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews in the United States and Germany including Rita Linton of Las Vegas, NV.; a brother in law Clifford Foote of Rochester and a sister in law Sylvia Hartman of Wellsville.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband George, and her 5 brothers and sisters.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 6 till 8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont and on Wednesday in the funeral home from 11 am till 12 noon at which time a funeral service will take place. The Reverend Bill Willson will preside and burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorials in Anita's name may be made to your local SPCA or to the Amity Rescue Squad of Belmont. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.