Irene V. Cleveland died on April 14, 2015 at Groton Nursing Home at the age of 97. Irene was the daughter of Isaac Alva and Mary Augusta Vought of Rome Township, PA. Irene grew up in Rome on her family’s farm, completed a teacher’s certificate at Mansfield State Teacher’s College in 1937, and taught school in Pennsylvania before her marriage. She moved
to Elmira, married George T. Cleveland, and had three children during World War II. She returned to teaching in 1957 in the Elmira City School District, completed her B.S. in Elementary Education at Mansfield University in 1960, and retired in 1980 after twenty-three years in the classroom.
After her retirement, she traveled extensively and devoted herself to several artistic pursuits, including painting, quilting, music, and handicrafts. She also converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and completed her mission for them. After moving to Dryden in 1993, she continued to be active in her faith until arthritis restricted her mobility. As
a teacher, she required the highest academic standards from her students, and expected their personal behavior to match. And she did this without raising her voice or preaching. She simply expected of her students and
her children that they would do their best. She made friends throughout her life, read constantly, and made the world a more beautiful place. To the end of her life, she made peoples’ days by smiling at them. She is survived by her children William A. Cleveland of Horseheads and Carol L. Cleveland of Dryden, a sister, Mrs. Harriet Twigg, of Waverly, and seven nieces and nephews. Her daughter Linda L. Cleveland predeceased her.
A Memorial Service for Irene will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden, NY. There are no calling hours. The family will receive guests following the service at the Dryden United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of one’s choice, especially those benefiting children.
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