Obituary of Maryellen P. Dale

Maryellen P. Dale died and entered Heaven on June 15, 2016. She was seventy five years old. Maryellen was born in Warsaw, NY, on October 24, 1940. She grew up in Perry, NY and graduated from Perry Central High School. She also graduated from SUNY Geneseo. She was the daughter of Margaret Murphy Pendergast and Carl Pendergast. She married Thurston Dale on February 3, 1962 at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Leicester, NY. She taught in public schools for over thirty years; in Trumansburg, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY and 27 years teaching Kindergarten in Medina, NY. She loved all children regardless of their background and had a unique sense to bring out the best in each child. She retained this God given sense of evaluating people throughout her life. Maryellen and Thurston moved to Medina in 1965 and together they established an Animal Hospital, the Ridge Animal Hospital. Maryellen was active in many organizations: Cub Scouts, 4-H, AAUW and the Johnson’s Creek Home Demonstration Group. She was an active participant in the Medina Area Association of Churches, serving as Secretary and President for many years. She was active in St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church and served on the Board of the Medina Emergency Food Pantry for many years. She was elected to the Board of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in 1979 and served as President of the Board since 1990. An ardent reader, Maryellen was dedicated to promoting literacy and the pleasures of books. She believed in the power of the public library to effect change, transform lives and improve the fabric of the community. She vigorously supported Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in pursuit of those goals. She was President of the Friends of the Library and became a member of the Medina Tuesday Club in 1990. She presented many memorable reports over the years. She served as a volunteer for the Red Cross blood drives. She also volunteered at Medina Memorial Hospital, was a member of the Orleans County Child Welfare Association, and was a Master Gardner and was active in several garden clubs and took pride in the flowers at her home. She enjoyed playing bridge and taught and encouraged many others to share her passion and love for the game. For years they raised and enjoyed Scottish Terriers. Her second greatest love, next to her two children, was her cats. Maryellen spent time to develop a close relationship with each of her cats, and always had several in her home. She enjoyed travelling and learning about different areas and their people. Maryellen truly enjoyed a close relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and took every opportunity to participate in Bible Studies to get to know Him better. Maryellen enjoyed her home, family and friends. Survivors include her husband, Thurston and sons, Christopher Dale of Buffalo and Gregory Dale of Walton, NY; sisters, Carol McGann of Michigan City, IN and Jane Pendergast of Mt. Kisco, NY; nieces, Polly and Karen, and great nephews. There will be no prior calling hours. Friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 3PM at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Avenue, Medina. Private interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, West Shelby. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library or the American Diabetes Association.