Aiden (Ehlert) Payne

Aiden E. Payne, 90, of Dryden, NY passed away on February 28, 2025 after a few
months of declining health. Born in Queens, NY on September 3, 1934, Aiden spent her
childhood in New York City and confidently applied to Cornell University without even a
prior visit to the campus. There she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and
earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Home Economics in 1956. While at
Cornell she also met her future husband, Donald Payne, whom she married just hours
after receiving her diploma. Through Don’s job they moved their family around New
York State and lived in Endicott, Auburn, Binghamton, and Liberty before finally settling
in Dryden in 1971. Aiden had a career as a public school educator, mostly teaching
Home Economics at Dryden Jr-Sr High School from 1973 until her retirement in 1992.
During that time, she earned her master’s from SUNY Cortland.
Aiden was a staunch volunteer and was involved in many projects. She was co-
coordinator of the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard food pantry for 35 years. She worked with
the Dryden School District for many years to provide the annual Thanksgiving and
Christmas baskets to needy families. She successfully began Dryden’s Weekend
Backpack program (WEB) that began by providing food to 48 elementary school
children and grew to support 64 students before she turned over the reins in 2021.
Starting in 2014, Aiden spent multiple semesters as part of a volunteer group of retired
teachers who worked with Cornell students in their Textiles, Apparel, and
Innovation course.  For a number of years, Aiden served as one of the judges in
Tompkins Cortland Community College’s CANstruction events where members of the
college community made creative “sculptures” out of canned foods before donating
them to the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard. In 2018 she was instrumental in helping
Tompkins Cortland Community College establish their own campus food pantry.
Aiden was always modest about her contributions, but received numerous
acknowledgements in her lifetime. Some of them included the Dryden Student Council’s
Most Valuable Junior High Teacher of the Year award in 1992; Cayuga Radio Group’s
Outstanding Women You Should Know in 2012; and the Dryden Grange Community
Service Award in 2013. The Foodbank of the Southern Tier awarded her a certificate of
Recognition for her years of Outstanding Dedication to Feeding the Hungry in
2017 and the 2023 Hunger Hero award.
Don and Aiden traveled extensively whether alone, with family, or with close friends on
camping trips, cross country road trips, and two adventures to Alaska. Travel
destinations also included Hawaii, many Canadian provinces, and all over Europe. After
retirement, many of their winters were spent in Borrego Springs, California where they
formed countless lasting friendships. After becoming a widow, Aiden continued to travel
around the United States and Costa Rica with good friends. She was an avid book

reader and a lifelong swimmer, had a green thumb, and enjoyed watching birds and the
antics of other wildlife from her back porch.
Aiden leaves behind her sons, William H. (Lisa) and Thomas J. (Annette); two
grandchildren, Allison K. Payne and Benjamin P. Payne; and several nieces and
nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Raymond Ehlert and Margaret Fardee
Ehlert, husband Donald W. Payne, and son Donald W. Payne Jr.
Aiden’s family is very grateful to the wonderful hospice staff that provided vital support
and took such good care of her in the final weeks of her long life.
Calling hours for Aiden will be held at 1pm, immediately followed by a celebration of
life on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden,
NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Southworth Library, P.O.
Box 45, Dryden, NY 13053; the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard, P.O. Box 42, Dryden, NY
13053; or Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, 172 East King Road Ithaca, NY 14850.