Loretta Dean

Loretta Dean

With sadness, we mourn the passing of Loretta Dean, who died on August 12, 2017 at the age of 88. The family will receive friends on Friday (Aug. 25th) from 6pm-8pm at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday (Aug 26th) at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church, Watkins Glen; followed by burial at Cayuta Cemetery. Loretta was born on August 31, 1928 to Thomas and Catherine Earley in Waverly, NY. Upon her marriage to the love of her life, Maurice F. Dean, she moved to Schuyler County to raise her family. Loretta served for fifteen years as matron of the Schuyler County Jail, paralleling Maurice’s tenure as Sheriff of the County. Upon her retirement, she studied at Cornell University and began her painting career as a botanical watercolor illustrator. An accomplished artist who saw beauty in life, she was sought out for her intricately detailed illustrations. Her botanic works have been featured in galleries across the state. Loretta was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Watkins Glen Church and choir. She lived her life full of faith and love, leading by example. In 2007, she was awarded the Women of Faith Award. The Women of Faith Award is presented to honor women whose lives exemplify their Christian commitment through witness, service and leadership. Loretta embodied these traits through her work with the church and the county. She will be forever remembered for her kindness and grace. She is survived by her children: Theresa (and Robert) Beswick of Victor, NY, Jennifer (and David) Chicone of Watkins Glen, NY, and Floyd (and Amy) Dean of Wilmington, DE, her grand children: Benjamin (and Deborah) Davis of Victor, NY, Kimberly Davis of Victor, NY, Vincent (and Sarah) Chicone of Montour Falls, NY, Andrew (and Susan) Chicone of Ft. Myers, Fl., and Miles Dean of Wilmington, DE., her great grand children: Ethan and Emily Davis, Ella and Loretta Chicone, and Lucy Chicone, and her sister: Marie Blackwell of Addison, NY, many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice F. Dean in 1993, and her brothers, Rev. Vincent Earley and Francis Earley. The family gratefully acknowledges Seneca View Nursing Facility that lovingly embraced and cared for Loretta for the last few years of her life. Loretta will be profoundly missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those to kindly consider making a donation in Loretta’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church, 520 N. Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY. You may express condolences to the family or “Light a candle of Remembrance” online at www.RoyceChedzoy.com