Published: September 18, 2008 12:21 pm         

South Valley

By CAROL BRODIE

In my mid-August column, I had mentioned meeting Charles and Marilyn Dufresne, of Worcester, at the Cobleskill Fair and how they mentioned attending school years back with some of the Mabie’s. As for their request, I will try to remember to update here occasionally on the surviving Mabie’s that were from the Worcester area.

Just this summer, in fact, we learned of the deaths of two more Mabie’s. William “Bill” S. Mabie, 76, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2008. He was born on Nov. 30, 1931, in Schenevus, the son of Arba Earl and Flora Ellen (Kniffen) Mabie. Bill’s wife, Mary Lou (Jeffers) Mabie, 75, also of San Antonio, passed away on April 10, 2008, less than two months after her husband. She was born in Schenectady on Dec. 21, 1932. Mary Lou and Bill had been married for 56 years. Survivors include their daughter, Barbara Brown and her husband, Howard, their son, James Mabie and his wife, Nancy, and grandchildren, Jason and Justin Brown, Antonio, Braden and Benjamin Mabie. Also surviving are Bill’s sister, Clara McCardle, and brother, DeForest “Jack” Mabie.

Both Bill and Mary Lou were laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas. Bill had honorably served his country with 25 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force, and he was laid to rest with full Air Force Honors.

Birthdays and anniversaries Birthday wishes go out to Harold Erway, Deb Van- Buren, Larry Dornburgh, Beau Franklin Brodie who turns two years old, Margaret Gage, Shelley Ritchey, Susan Brodie, Jennifer Lundy, and Douglas Moore who will be seven.

Anniversary wishes go to Dan and Jaime Cooper who celebrate two years, my dad and mom, Elliot and Luella Brodie, celebrating 66 years, Kenny and Barb Olsen, Pastor Alan Miller and his wife, Esther, Dave and Mary Lou Bach, who celebrate their 40th, and Erin and LouAnna Hughes.

Expression of sympathy Our family’s heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Robert Edwin Harris, 89, of Otego, who passed away at Albany Medical Center on Monday, Sept. 8 after being critically injured in an automobile accident in Oneonta on Sept. 4. Our prayers also remain with his wife, Dorothy, who remains in Fox Hospital, Oneonta, in critical, but stable, condition.

We have known Ed and Dorothy for many, many years and always looked forward to visiting with them each summer at the Morris Fair. In fact, we had a nice visit with them this year as they were there enjoying the fair.

They always managed to get to the fair for at least one day each summer. Bits and Pieces Jim and Alice Rose, of Mount Dora, Fla., would like to thank everyone who sent them anniversary cards as they celebrated their 65th anniversary on August 14. He said they had a very nice anniversary, with a party and lots of great food, as every month a party is held in their park to celebrate all of the birthdays and anniversaries of that month. On the weekend of August 30-31, Jim and Alice went to Jacksonville to visit their son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Vickie Rose. They had an especially nice time as their grandson, Bryan and Laura Rose, were also there visiting, so they got to spend time with their only greatgrandchild, Alysen Catherine Rose, who is now four years old. Of course, greatgrandpa Jim isn’t at all prejudice when he says that Alysen is very smart and pretty, too! (smile!) Pastor Bill Wilson attended Nancy Lamouret- Scanlon’s surprise 50th birthday party at the Town Park Pavilion, in Knox, on Sunday, August 31. Nancy was an outstanding 4-H member when Pastor Bill was the 4-H agent in Otsego County. She received many county and state awards as a 4-H member. Nancy’s party was hosted by her son, Eric, and her daughter, Rebecca. Pat Mabie and Raymond and Sandy Sutton, of Decatur, enjoyed shopping and dining out at the Rotterdam Mall on Thursday, Sept. 4. Pat says they also enjoyed viewing the Mabee Farm display that was set up there.

Eddie Hayward, of Belvedere Lake, spent a couple days last week helping David Thompson with his house project.

Melvia Thompson-Fenn, of Gothicville, along with her son and daughter-inlaw, Milton “Mick” and Carla Fenn, of Oklahoma, called on Leland “Zeke” and Pat Mabie on Friday, Sept. 5. The two of them were spending the weekend with Mick’s mom.

Elliot Brodie and his daughter, Barb Kineke, of Mohawk, attended the AWANA meeting at the Little Falls First Baptist Church on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Leland and Pat Mabie and Ray and Sandy Sutton toured the Oriskany battlefield on Sunday, Sept. 7. They also enjoyed viewing the Oriskany Battlefield Monument where they found Pat and Sandy’s great-great-great-grandfather George Bush’s name in the third column over and eight or nine names down. The four of them also enjoyed dining at Denny’s Restaurant in Herkimer. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Griffiths, of Connecticut, called on Luella Brodie, Frank and Carol on Sunday, Sept. 7. All had a great time visiting and reminiscing about times past. The Griffiths were spending some time at their Cooperstown home to celebrate their 40th anniversary, which was the following day.

David and Sharon Thompson visited Keith and Daphne Thompson and daughter, Elizabeth, in Morris, on Sunday afternoon and also enjoyed supper with them that evening. The Otsego County Farm Bureau board meeting was held at the office in Hartwick Seminary on Tuesday night, Sept. 9. Those attending were county president Steve Sinniger, office manager Sue Schaffer, Frank Brodie, Les and Dorothy Rathbun, Warren and Julie Stannard, Werner Weigel, John Walrath, Amy Auger, and Robin Aufmuth, who rents the building for her “My Time Day Spa” business.