CANASTOTA - Ann M. Strong, 78, Delano Avenue, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in the Oneida Healthcare Center, where she was a medical patient for the past day.
Born in Canastota on March 13, 1929, she was the daughter of Antonio and Gaetana Cesario Russitano. A lifelong resident of Canastota, Ann was educated at Canastota High School. She married LaVern S. "Herb" Strong, in St. Agatha's Church, Canastota, on July 1, 1950.
Prior to her retirement in 1991, Mrs. Strong was employed with the Diemolding Corporation in Canastota. She was a communicant of St. Agatha's Church, a member of the Lenox Senior Citizens and the Canastota-Oneida Area Italian American Committee. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting and especially her grandchildren and their sporting events. Her grandchildren looked upon Ann as an amazing human being.
Surviving besides her husband, LaVern, are three daughters and two sons-in-law, Gail A. Strong and Shelley A. and Charles Sgroi, all of Canastota, and Debra A. and Roger Tucker of Munnsville; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary A. and Lorie Strong of Oneida; five grandchildren, Charles Sgroi, Ryan Sgroi, Dan Tucker and his fiancée, Krista Spooner, Kelly and her husband, James Wallace, and Katie Strong; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Rosario and Marie Russitano of Frankfort, Anthony J. and Roccine Russitano and Peter J. Russitano, all of Canastota; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Dominick S. Russitano on April 26, 2007 and Joseph Russitano.
Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m., Monday from St. Agatha's Church, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend Kevin Corcoran, pastor. Interment will be made in St. Agatha's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 300 South Peterboro Street, Canastota, 2-6 p.m., Sunday.
Contributions, in her memory, may be made to St. Agatha's Bereavement Committee, 328 N. Peterboro St., Canastota or Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, Box 382, Canastota, NY 13032. Envelopes for these funds may be obtained at the funeral home.
