Mary Ellen Westlake
October 17, 1931 – December 29, 2020
Described as “radical” in her high school year book, she pursued her goals with energy and enthusiasm throughout life.
Visiting Hours:
Friday, January 1, 2021
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 2, 2021
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover
Funeral Service:
Saturday, January 2, 2021
2:00 p.m.
Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover
Mary Ellen Westlake, 89, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
Mrs. Westlake was born on Oct. 17, 1931, in Hornell to Nathan and Mary (Pierce) Tucker of Alfred. She was a 1949 graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School. Described as “radical” in her high school year book, she pursued her goals with energy and enthusiasm throughout life.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Latin from Alfred University in 1953 and her Master of Education in Guidance Counseling, also from Alfred University. On April 17, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, John E. Westlake, a Korean War veteran, who predeceased her on June 13, 2003.
Mary Ellen’s first teaching job was at Arkport Central School, where she taught the unusual combination of Latin and Phys. Ed. and advised the cheerleading team. After a few years off when her daughter, Susan, was born, she taught Latin part-time at Alfred-Almond Central School for 27 years, retiring in 1988. At Alfred-Almond, she started and advised a chapter of the Junior Classical League, taking students to state and national conventions where they won many awards. She also served as advisor to the National Honor Society and the Academic All-Stars.
In recognition of Mary Ellen’s deep appreciation for her community and her lifetime of service, she was honored as the Alfred-Almond Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award Honoree of 2020. Mary Ellen’s life exemplified the spirit of the award even from her younger days. She served as Alfred playground monitor in high school and as a basketball official while still in college. She and her husband were on the Hornellsville Zoning Board, with Mary Ellen as secretary, and were charter members of the Almond Historical Society. She enjoyed being a Camp Fire Girls Leader for seven years when Susan and her friends were involved. She knitted her way through meetings of the A-A Faculty Association and PTA (and many football games) and was active in the Almond 20th Century Club, owner of the Almond Library.
After retirement, Mary Ellen learned to quilt and used this skill to provide a lovely log cabin quilt for the Library’s annual Election Day Raffle every year for about 20 years. She also made wall hangings for Bristol Valley Theater’s fundraising efforts and to brighten the halls of Wellsville Manor Nursing Home, where John spent his final months. Her broad sense of civic responsibility was maintained in later years by her support of the A-A Alumni Association, Alfred University, Allegany County Historical Society, Hornell Garden Club, Special Olympics, Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, and Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Mary Ellen imparted to her family her healthy sense of civic pride as they worked together to nurture people and serve their community. One of Mary Ellen’s great joys was in decorating the Almond Historical Society’s Hagadorn House Museum for Christmas, where her imagination blossomed with varying themes and all-natural, hand-made displays, with her daughter and grandchildren’s assistance. She served for many years as unofficial curator, costume manager, and occasional tour guide for this museum of local history.
She delighted in collecting antiques and completely remodeled her house together with her husband. When that was finished, they started over with a cottage on Canandaigua Lake, which they enjoyed year-round.
Other personal pleasures included feeding the birds and gardening, both vegetables and flowers. When failing eyesight prevented her from quilting, the flower beds and containers around her home continued to turn heads.
Given Mary Ellen’s life-long love of learning, it was natural for this love to flow into her family. Susan has many cherished memories of visiting educational sites such as historic homes, museums, galleries, factories, zoos, aquariums, and beaches, especially in the area around Plymouth, MA, where they vacationed annually.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter, Susan (Tom) Steere of Hornellsville; three siblings, Joyce (Ken) Hance of Castile, Marjorie (Jim) Lange of Lenexa, KS, and Richard Tucker of Punta Gorda, FL; six grandchildren, Carolyn (Edward) Tee of Watertown, Daniel (Carissa) Steere of Youngsville, NC, Artemas (Mollie) Steere of Syracuse, John (Dallas) Steere of Philadelphia, PA, James (Madilyn) Steere of Copenhagen, NY, and David Steere of Hornellsville; four great-grandchildren, Edward Tee II, Gemma Tee, Blakely Steere and Oliver Steere; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Friday (Jan. 1) from 5–7 p.m. and Saturday from 1–2 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. Due to Covid-19, social distancing and masks will be required. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home immediately following the visitation, with Rev. Kenneth Chroniger of the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Alfred Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Mary Ellen’s name may be made to the Almond 20th Century Club Library, P.O. Box D, Almond, NY 14804. © 2020 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
I loved Gerry. We were childhood friends that could not be separated. Our families were farmers. Me shared a bond. His mom is wonderful and she loved Gerry. We drifted apart as we got older-something I truly regret- but I’m / the world was a left a better place because of Gerry. A free sprit and independent. Skilled in some many things. He was always smiling and always got the pretty girls! We saw each other for the first time in years at our Class Reunion two summers ago. It was so great to finally catch up with my old friend.
Thanks Gerry for being my friend. I’ll miss you but will never forget you
To G my one true love. You will be very much missed and remembered in our hearts forever by your extended family, including grand children who you watched grow up these past 18 years. Our time together was close and loving, being the “bitch on the back” was one of my favorite times with you! We also loved watching you jam…you were most happy then! I pray all your wishes came true…I love you.
Gerry, we will miss you. The world will miss you. Your life was cut too short. You were there for so many occasions in my life and I am grateful for you leaving me (and Ryan) with so many great memories. Your talent and heart were unmatched and I am so grateful I got to share them with you.
It was so hard to write this because I still can’t believe you are gone. I will forever miss you. Thank you for being a part of my life, and loving my mom and us the way you did.
I hope you are in a better place, living pain free with Sadie by your side, your guitar, a cold Coors Light (in a coozie), jamming out to Dio (or Motzart) and revving your Harley, while smoking a brisket.
We love you.
Chelsea, Ryan and Rowan
Rest easy now Gerry. My deepest condolences to your family of which I consider you to be.
Your message God Bless you Gerry, you were our good friend and we had lots of and we were lucky to know you! Will miss ya bunches! Rick and Cindy
I was very saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing.
He will always be missed by his family and friends but I hope they all know that a free spirit like Gerry never truly fades away.
He is just starting a new adventure and we can all smile knowing that there will be motorcycles, trucks, chainsaws, new friends and an electric guitar waiting for him when he gets there.