Obituary of Raye Saddlemire

Raye Cooke Saddlemire went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 6th, 2011, surrounded by her loving family singing hymns. She was born on January 12th, 1933, in Albany, New York, and was the daughter of the late Clayton R. and Marie (Haner) Cooke of Westerlo, New York. A graduate of Berne-Knox- Westerlo School, she was accepted into Syracuse University to study Journalism, although she did not attend. She was employed by the SUNY Albany College Bookstore, Linens by Gail in Delmar, and owned and operated a local quilt and sewing business. Raye's love of family, community and church was prevalent throughout her life. Visiting family to enjoy attending concerts, ball games, and life milestones were favorite times for Raye. She was an avid quilter and seamstress, loved antiques, and the study of genealogy, local history, and current events. Her love of reading and books was seen by her participation in the Westerlo Library. She was a member of the Hiawatha Grange, Westerlo Historical Society, Berne-Knox-Westerlo Alumni Association, and was active with the Rensselaerville Senior Citizens. Raye was a member of the South Westerlo Christian Congregational Church for many years where she served as church secretary, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, children's choir director, and on the missions committee. She will be sorely missed by her loving family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Ogden Saddlemire. She is survived by her daughters Shelly (Michael) Taylor of Bellevue, Ill., Nancy (William) Barber of Binghamton, NY, Laurel (Robert) Scudder of Fredonia, NY, Dara (John) Buchy of Greenville, OH; grandchildren, Michael (Connie) Taylor, Dayna (Chris) Kinner, Allan (Tiffany) Taylor, Daniel (Erin) Barber, Julie (Dale) Pluss, Joshua Barber, Erin, Ashley, Kyle Scudder, Katelyn Wickham, Jacob, Samantha, Aaron and Sarah Buchy; great grandchildren Madison and Ella Taylor, and Paul Kinner. A service celebrating her life will be held at the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church Saturday February 12th at 11am. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10 a.m. Friends may also call at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Homes, Inc., 4898 SR81, Greenville, N.Y. on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in the Town of Catskill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be mailed to: The Raye Cooke Saddlemire Memorial Scholarship Fund, Berne-Knox- Westerlo Central School, 1738 Helderberg Trail, Berne, New York 12023.