CAROL R. AYERS, age 79, of Ithaca and formerly a longtime resident of Main St., Freeville, NY passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the Hospicare residence in Ithaca after an extended illness. Mrs. Ayers was born Oct. 17, 1934 in Natural Bridge, NY a daughter of the late Leland and Inez Arnold Rowley. A graduate of Carthage High School and the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, she was married to Robert Ayers on April 9th, 1955.
Mrs. Ayers was a school music teacher in the Dryden Schools until retirement in 1993. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church of Freeville and served for many years as the organist and choir director. Recently she attended the United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, NY. Carol was active in the musical productions of the Dryden Footlighters and often provided accompaniment for various musical needs in the community. She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Survivors include her loving husband, Robert, of Ithaca, her children, Schuyler (Maureen) Ayers of Cocoa, FL, Kirstin (Eric) Gasteiger of Newfield, NY, Dana (Claudia) Ayers of Spencer, NY; grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Kelsey and Katie; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a daughter, Lael Elizabeth Ayers, who died June 5, 2009.
A Public Memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Nelson Reppert officiating. Burial will be private in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Her family will receive their friends at a reception (immediately after the memorial service) at the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home, 2272 Dryden Road, Dryden. Memorial donations in Carol’s name are directed to Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or to the Race for the Cure, 5008 Brittonfield Parkway, Suite 300, East Syracuse, New York, 13057
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol R. Ayers, please visit our flower store.