Jovanna (Joanne) C. Molin, 93

Wellsville, NY – Jovanna (Joanne) C. Molin, 93, of River Road Wellsville, NY passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Highland Park Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness. Born August 31, 1930, she was the daughter of Bort and Mary (Corte Colo) Molin.

Joanne was raised in Wellsville and was a 1950 graduate of Wellsville High School.  She was formerly employed at Alfred State College Food Service, Giant Food Mart, Bolivar Road Rehabilitation, Air Pre-Heater (Alstom) Wellsville, and National Fuel Gas.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and in early days taught CCD (Religious Education) classes. Joanne was also a member of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Mercy Associates, and BPOE #1495 (Elks Club).

She was known for her cooking and catering. Thru the years, she catered numerous dinners,weddings, Knights of Columbus monthly dinners, Father Bill Brown Mission Club dinners, for his mission in Peru, and countless pies, cakes, and pasta for friends and family. Joanne was a strong, independent woman with a heart of gold and proud of her Italian heritage. She became the matriarch of the family and had a loving and emotional bond with her many nieces and nephews after her many siblings passed.  In the last few years, her nieces and nephews were of great assistant to her, and she loved her time with them.  

She is survived by a sister, Mary (Gene) Wilson, and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Helena Geracci, Virginia Blasdell, Flora Molin, and Rosa (Rose) Trask; and four brothers, Leo, Florio, Orlando (Peter), and Bruno Molin. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 6 Maple Avenue in Wellsville. There will be no prior visitation.Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to BPOE Elks Scholarship Fund, the Hart Comfort House. or any charity of the donor’s choice.  To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Smith Haskins, 95

Our mother Barbara Smith Haskins passed away in Spring Hill, FL on February 3, 2024, one month before her 96th birthday. She will be greatly missed by her 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Barbara was devoted to her entire extended family, blessing all with her love, support, and wise counsel.

Barbara was born on March 2, 1928, in Newton Falls, NY to Margaret Gordon Smith and Samuel Smith who had emigrated from Scotland and England respectively. She was the eldest of five children. When she was 16, her family moved to Wellsville, NY. After graduating at age 17 from Wellsville HighSchool, Barbara went to work in Bradford, PA, giving up her scholarship to Nursing School to help support her family when her father became ill. For the rest of her life, she was a guiding force in the lives of her four siblings as well as to her own family of seven.Barbara returned to Wellsville in 1947 to work as bookkeeper in Hamilton’s Shoe Store and in 1948 married David Haskins, to whom she was married for 71 years before his death in February 2020. Their marriage was a loving partnership centered on their five children, in whom they instilled the values of family, respect, gratitude and generosity while embracing the joys of life. Barbara managed thelarge active family, guiding and supporting each child’s individual talents and pursuits. Winters were spent skiing on the slopes of New York and Pennsylvania, and idyllic summers spent swimming, sailing, and waterskiing on Conesus Lake while Barbara drove the ski boat for her 5 kids. For all this and more her children are forever grateful.

Barb and Dave were members of First Methodist Church in Wellsville, and later they joined the Spring Life Methodist Church in Spring Hill, FL. In 1993 they retired to Spring Hill to continue their active lifestyle, living in the Timber Pines Community where they enjoyed golf and made new and lasting friendships. Barbara continued to be the gracious hostess she had always been and family and friends were always welcome in her beautiful home. Travel was an integral part of each year, and family reunions including all the children, spouses, and grandchildren were regularly organized by Barbara and Dave.

Barbara was a devoted caregiver to her husband for the last years of his life as he battled cancer. Her life was spent in the care and nurturing of family and her absence will be felt by all she leaves behind.

Surviving are her children, Nancy Lazar (Jay) of Bethlehem, Pa; Thomas Haskins (Kris) of Richmond, Va; William Haskins (Robin) of Port St. Lucie, Fl; Anne Schettine of Bemus Point, NY and Mark T. Haskins of Wellsville, NY. In addition are her 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Judy Smith of Denton, TX; brother-in-law John Kozlowski of Cortland, NY; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers George and James Smith; and her sisters Nanette Kozlowski and Erna Richardson.

The family is truly grateful to the wonderful caregivers who were with our mother in her last years.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date in Wellsville. Please consider memorial donations in Barbara’s name to a hospice facility of one’s choosing . To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Alan L. Lewis, 60

Friendship, NY – Alan L. Lewis, 60, of 20 South Street passed away on Monday February 19, 2024, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with family at his side. He was born June 12, 1963, in Cuba the son of Ronald L. and Marlene A. (Shelley) Lewis. On October 26, 2019, in Belvedere he married Jamie Lynn Kud who survives.

Alan was a 1981 graduate of Belmont High School. He was formerly employed by Acme Electric in Cuba, Current Control Company in Wellsville, and Friendship Diaries. Hewent back to Current Controls where he worked for many years until he recently retired due to ill health. He attended the Belmont First Baptist Church; he loved and owned many Dachshunds and rescued several dogs over the years. He enjoyed gardening, wild birds, woodworking, watching Looney Tunes and Animaniacs.

Surviving in addition to his wife Jamie, is a daughter, Michelle Lewis of Pocatello, ID, a son, Lee (Leigh) Lewis of Mechanicsville, PA, four grandchildren, Ethan, Shawn, Morgan, and Lucan, his father, Ron Lewis of Belmont, three brothers, Mark Lewis of Belmont, Gary (Joan) Lewis of Mineral Springs, NC, and Ross (Kylene) Lewis of Moore, SC, three sisters, Lisa (Erik) Jeske of Sanford, NC, Jennifer (Jeff) Offhaus of Prattville, AL, and Jessica (Dana) Hand of Belmont, an uncle Greg Shelley and his companion Mike Feldbauer of Belmont, the mother of his children, Sue Lewis of Pocatello, ID, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Marlene Lewis, his paternal grandparents, Howard and Burnice Lewis and maternal grandparents, Ross and Inez Shelley.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. The funeral will be Saturday, February 24, at 11:00 am at the Belmont First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary Louise (Pettnot) Baker, 88

Friendship, NY – Mary Louise (Pettnot) Baker, 88, formerly of 39 E. Main Street passed awaypeacefully on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Wyoming County Skilled Nursing Facility. She was born April 12, 1935, in Friendship, the daughter of the late John C. and Helen (Mondry)Pettnot. On June 11, 1966, at Sacred Heart R C Church in Friendship, she married Charles R. Baker who preceded her in death on August 2, 2011.

Mary was a 1954 graduate of Friendship Central School. She was formerly employed by the Friendship Market Basket, and the Friendship Central School as a teacher’s aide in computermath, from December 9, 1980, until her retirement on June 30, 2003. She was a past treasurer of the Friendship Freedom Fair, an Election Inspector, a past member of the Friendship Free Library Board of Directors, a member of the former Sacred Heart RC Church in Friendship, and was a member of Our Lady of the Angels RC Church in Cuba.

She is survived by her twin brother, Francis Pettnot of Belmont, a sister, Barbara Dourie of Wyoming, a sister-in-law, Grace McCrea of Richburg, a brother-in-law, Tom (Marcia) Baker of Olean, countless nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as several cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was precededin death by a sister, Teresa Pettnot, a sister-in-law, Patricia Pettnot, a brother-in-law, James Dourie, and many deceased members of the Baker family.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 1:00 pm at Holy Family Church in Belmont. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Friendship. Please consider memorial donations to the Wyoming County Skilled Nursing Facility Resident Activity Fund, 400 N. Main Street Warsaw, NY 14569. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Ruth Ann McCollough, 71

Alfred, NY – Ruth Ann McCollough, 71, 4791 County Road 12 passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Centerfollowing a long illness. She was born July 28, 1952, in Hornell, the daughter of the late Clinton J. and Beatrice (Stuck) Palmiter. On August 6, 1983, she married Kent McCollough who survives.

Ruth was raised in Hornell and Alfred and was a 1970 graduate of Alfred-Almond High School. She received an associate degree in Food Service from Alfred State College in 1972. She was first employed as the lead cook at Friendship Central School, and later was a cook at Alfred University for 26 years, until she retired due to ill health. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to play Bingo and taking an occasional trip to the casino. 

She is survived in addition to her husband Kent by three children, Steven (Kolina) Nolan of Bolivar, Collette (Gary) Troutman of Vale, NC, and Erica McCollough of Wellsville, six grandchildren, one great granddaughter, two sisters, Joyce Plaisted of Friendship, and Jayne Palmiter of Alfred, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by a granddaughter, Miranda Wright.

A private memorial service is being planned for a later date. The burial will be in Alfred Rural Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to Alfred Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Tage Nielsen, 80

Vero Beach, FL – Tage Nielsen, 80, passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY following a brief illness. He was born on January 27, 1944, in Aalborg, Denmark the son of the late Frank and Marie Nielsen. He moved to the United States in 1950 and became a U.S. Citizen in 1958. On January 29, 1966, in Belmont, NY he married Jeanne Pierce, who survives.

Tage graduated from Charlotte High School and SUNY Brockport where he received a B.S. in English. He taught English at East High School and Spencerport Junior High School. He left teaching to work at Eastman Kodak where he retired in 1992. In 2000 he and his wife relocated to Vero Beach, Florida, where they lived for twenty-four years, returning to Rochester each year to spend the summer months.

Tage will be greatly missed by his wife of fifty-eight years, Jeanne Nielsen, and his two sons, Kirk (Kathleen) Nielsen of Greer, SC, and Karl Nielsen of Pittsford, NY, as well as his grandchildren, Alex and Erik of SC, and Katherine and David of NY, his two sisters, Ulla Christensen of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Tove (Rob) Dettori of The Villages, FL, twelve nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Ron Bigelow of Orlando, FL, and a brother-in-law, Karl Pierce of Hornell, NY. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Rita DiMaggio, and a brother Erik Nielsen.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10 am to Faith Baptist Church of North Chili. His funeral will follow at 10:30 am. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery of Belmont, NY. Please consider memorial donations to a charity of donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Margaret Ann Day, 74

Belmont, NY -- Margaret Ann Day, 74, joined the Lord in heaven on Sunday, February 4, 2024.Peggy, as she was known by her family and friends, was born March 27, 1949, in Three Rivers, Massachusetts to the late Clarence Roland and Elida Margaret (Pimpare) Breault. One of six siblings, Peggy grew up with her family and her Catholic faith in Massachusetts and graduated from Saint Anne’s Academy in Marlboro. 

As the Breault family moved to Connecticut, Peggy settled in Torrington, where she worked for the Torrington Company and later served as the Assistant Credit Manager for O&G Industries. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut. Astute with numbers, she went on to work for G. Fox and Company in Hartford until her retirement. In their retirement, she and her husband, Frank Day, settled in Belmont, New York in 1997 where she enjoyed taking care of their pets, farm animals, spending time with friends, and hosting family visits.

She is survived by her husband Frank, her daughter Stephanie Green (Scott) of Connecticut, her son Matthew Hudak (Melissa) of Texas, their father, Fred Hudak, her step-daughter, Jenifer Corral (Sal) of Florida, and step-son Ryan Day (Patti-Jo) of Hawaii. She is also survived by her sisters Celeste and Diane, her brother Clarence, and her twin-brother Eugene. Peggy was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Sheldon, Hannah, Janessa, Nathan, Christoffer, Nicolas, and Katrina, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother Roger.

Always trusting in her faith, Peggy was an amazing mother, wife, and grandmother. Her faith guided her through her life and gave her strength through her numerous medical battles. As a member of her church choir, Peggy shared her faith with others. She will be deeply missed by her family and everyone that knew her as a friend and fellow parishioner.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 16, at 11:00 am at Holy Family Church in Belmont. A celebration of life/burial ceremony is being planned at the BarkhamstedCongregational Church and Barkhamsted Cemetery in Connecticut, later this spring. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in Peggy’s memory to One More Dog Rescue, Inc. at https://www.omdrescue.org. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Marylu E. Buck, 88

Wellsville, NY – Marylu E. Buck, 88, formerly of East Genesee Street, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Highland Park Healthcare Center. She was born on January 22, 1936, the daughter of the late William B. and Marguerite L. (Hanson) Buck. 

Marylu was a life-long resident of Wellsville, graduating from Wellsville High School in 1954. She continued her education, earning her bachelor’s degree. She began her career in education but sacrificed her career to care for her parents. She was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. She will be remembered as a well-dressed, familiar, and friendly face around town. 

She is survived by her church family and several good friends.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 11 am, in St. John’s Episcopal, burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery of Wellsville, with Reverend Carol Stewart presiding. Please consider memorial donations to St. John’s Episcopal, 12 East Genesee Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.