Vera Ferris Foote

VERA FERRIS FOOTE , age 85, of Sherbrook Apts., Cortland, NY died Friday, Jan 7, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, NY after a brief illness. Mrs. Foote, a daughter of the late Salem and Nazera Abdallah Ferris, was born November 26, 1919 in Solon, NY and moved with her family to Cortland in 1926. A 1937 graduate of Cortland High School, she also was graduated from Cortland Normal School in 1940. Vera married Emmett Foote on June 19, 1943. She and Emmett were the owners and operators of the original "Footie’s Freez". Vera was hired to teach in a one room school on what is now known as Syrian Hill in Solon. In the spring of 1942, she was hired as a teacher in a combined first and second grade at the McLean Central School. During her tenure at this school she earned her Masters of Education degree. In 1951 the school merged with the Dryden School system and was renamed the Cassavant School. She remained at this position until she retired in 1982 as the "Head Teacher." An avid walker, Vera enjoyed refinishing furniture, knitting, crossword puzzles and being a loving sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed many summers by spending time on Skaneateles Lake. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Cortland and a member of the Cortland Area Retired Teachers Association. Vera will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Vera is survived by her sisters: Eloise F. Pierce and Julia F. Karpenko, both of Cortland, Tena (Thomas) Maguire of Amherst, Rena (James) LeFever of Cortland, and Marion (Wayne) Lear of Skaneateles, a brother-in-law, Carl J. (Patricia) Foote of Dryden, and her many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband (1987), her brother, N.S. (Tofield) Ferris (1995).

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM Monday, January 10, 2005 at St. Mary’s Church, Cortland by Rev. John Fenlon. Burial, delayed until spring, will be in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Friends are invited to call from 2 to 5 PM Sunday at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden, NY. Those wishing to remember Vera are asked to consider a memorial gift to the American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Ave, Endicott, NY 13760, or the American Heart Association, 5575 Thompson Road, Syracuse, NY 13214.

Vera Ferris Foote