Obituaries

Elizabeth J. Blake, 65, of Attica, passed away on December 18, 2022 at Buffalo General Medical Center.  Her full obituary listing funeral information will be published in the upcoming weeks.  Arrangements for Elizabeth have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia, (585) 343-8868.

Jill L. Smith, 68, of Batavia, passed away after a short illness on Saturday, December 17, 2022, surrounded by love at Crossroads House.

She was born December 21,1953 in Rochester, NY, the only child of the late Howard and Laura (Martin) Walrath of Avon, NY and wife of the late Rodney Smith of Corfu, NY.

Jill began working for New York State right after graduating high school and spent most of her career working for the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office, where she retired from in 2008. One of her greatest passions in life was helping others. After retirement from the State, she worked as a private Nanny and as a bus aide at Byron-Bergen School district, but she found much fulfillment in working for Healthy Living at Rochester Regional Health as a Peer Educator where she met with community members in the GLOW region to educate them on the importance of cancer screening, a cause very near and dear to her heart after her own battles with breast cancer. 

In her free time Jill was an avid trapshooter who won several state championships, a curious traveler who always enjoyed an adventure and seeing the world, a green thumb who prided herself on her creative and vibrant gardens every spring, a passionate and life-long Buffalo Bills fan through the good years and bad who loved being at games, and an accomplished cook and baker. 

Jill was a warm and loving person. Her family and friends were always paramount to her, and she loved her daughter Meghan, husband Michael, and dog Mozart with everything she had. 

She is survived by her husband, Michael Mager of Batavia and daughter, Meghan Gallagher of Batavia.

The family would like to thank so many friends for their support over the last five months and the staff at Crossroads House for their compassionate care of Jill at the end of her fight. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to call and share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Wednesday, December 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the J. Leonard McAndrew Funeral Home, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, NY.  A celebration of Jill’s life will take place on Thursday, December 22 at 11a.m. at Pembroke Community Church, 692 Main Road, Pembroke, NY. 

A private graveside ceremony for family and close friends will take place at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be offered to Penn Medicine where a fund has been set up in her name to support research for BRCA genetic mutations and Glioblastoma:  http://givingpages.upenn.edu/rememberingjillsmith or Crossroads House. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.  Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., Corfu, NY.

was born August 13, 1932, son of the late Julius and Sylvia George.

He grew up in Elba, NY, doing farm work and learning to drive stick shifts at an early age.

After graduating from Elba in 1950, he proudly served in combat in Korea as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment.

Leaving the Army as a corporal, he lived in Batavia until marrying Violanda (VI) Ianni in 1957 and moving to Oakfield.

Glenn is a retiree of Batavia Metal Products, after working for Dusing and Hunt in LeRoy, and US Gypsum in Oakfield.

He had a lifelong love of animals and nature, cars, and trains.  For much of his retirement he was active in the Oakfield Historical Society, organized Batavia Metal Products retiree breakfasts, and helped plan reunion luncheons for his Elba class.

He was predeceased by VI.

Surviving are his love of 15 years Shirley; children Dave (Katie) of Fairport and Sharon (Jeff) of Batavia; sister Dorothy (Bruno) of Batavia, brother Paul (Linda) of Elba; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

His family extends their deepest gratitude and appreciation to Doctors Ifthi and Passero, nurses Cheryl and Megan, and all of the fantastic team at Wilmot Cancer Institute for more than a decade of excellent and compassionate care during his battle with multiple myeloma.

Private services, with militry honors,were held at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Wilmot Cancer Institute - https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/cancer-institute/giving/make-a-gift.aspx or the Oakfield Historical Society - https://oakfieldhistory.org/. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in his memory, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield.

On December 15, 2022, Lyle H. Marsh Sr., passionate horseman and loving father of four children, passed away at the age of 81. Lyle was born on November 10, 1941 in Oswegatchie, New York to Roy and Mary (Haskins) Marsh. 

Introduced to horse racing at an early age, he dedicated his life to the profession and sport. Throughout much of his life he managed a stable of more than 20 horses, while simultaneously holding a full-time job with the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York as a welder and fabricator. 

He fathered four successful children; three children, Carla, Betty, and Hank with his first wife, Agnes Malady and later, one child, Anthony, with Karen Marini-Marsh.

Lyle’s passion was the horse business, and particularly, harness horse racing. He got his start as a teenager and maintained this great love throughout his life. This passion pushed him into every aspect of the business, finding success as an owner, trainer, and driver. He was also known as one of the best blacksmiths in the state. He was a lifetime member of both the United States Trotting Association and the Western New York Harness Horseman’s Association.

Lyle was preceded in death by his father, Roy, and his mother, Mary. Also, by his siblings, Wayne, Ronny, Lester, and Sylvia. He is survived by his four children, his wife, Karen, as well, his siblings, Wayde, Neil, Suzanne, Sharon, and Roy (Junior).

There will be no prior calling hours. A 1:30PM Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday December 18, 2022 at The City Church (St. Anthony’s site) 114 Liberty St. Batavia, NY 14020.  A Graveside Service will be held on at the Oswegatchie Cemetery around Independence Day. The family would like to thank you for your part in a life well lived.

To leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc.