Norma Rae Cancellari

Norma Rae Cancellari , 61, of Dryden, NY passed away Friday, Nov 9, 2007 at home after a 4 year battle with an aggressive Parkinson's Disease. She was born in Liberty, PA on August 8, 1946 and lived there until meeting her husband Mike Cancellari. They were married on July 13, 1968 and moved to Dryden in 1973. Norma was the Jobs Coordinator for Cornell Career Services and worked there for 22 years until she retired this past August. She enjoyed her co-workers and the many student interns that worked with her. Her high energy, positive outlook on life and super smile were an asset to her as she helped coach the cheerleading squads at Dryden High School from 1986-1997. Her teams were among the best in the league and the friendships that were formed with the girls she mentored lasted well beyond their graduations. She was also very involved with the Dryden Patriots Baton Corp for many years with her daughter and was a strong supporter of all the twirlers as they competed on the state, regional and national levels.

Her calming influence, good nature and tremendous loyalty were a comfort to her many friends and family. She was someone you could always count on through good times and bad. Norma lived life by a simple philosophy: If you commit to something, you honor that commitment and if it is worth doing, it is worth doing to the best of your ability. These simple lessons were passed on to her children, grandchildren, and the many girls she coached. Norma's great loves besides her family were traveling, gardening, shopping, playing practical jokes and spending time with friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Norma is survived by her husband of 39 years, Michael, her daughter Melaine (Christopher) Rottkamp of Poughkeepsie, NY, son James (Kristine) also of Poughkeepsie, two grandsons, Nicholas and Philip Rottkamp, a brother Alfred (Jennie) Harer of Wellsboro, Pa and her mother Mildred also of Wellsboro. She was predeceased by her father Romain A. Harer on July 13, 2006.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, Nov, 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Alan Kinney of the United Methodist Church of Dryden officiating. Burial will be in Green Hills Cemetery, Dryden. The family will receive friends on Monday, Nov 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Dryden Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 397, Dryden, NY 13053-0397.