Patricia Persley

After a long, rewarding, and fulfilled life, Patricia Churchill Persley passed away peacefully at home while holding her daughter’s hand on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at age 91. She was born on October 5, 1925 in the Town of Scriba, Oswego County; as the only child to Franklin B. Churchill and L. Wava (Tourot) Churchill. While she attended Oswego State Teacher’s College, she met her future husband, Philip Persley. They were married June 27, 1948. Patricia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a Special Certification to teach Kindergarten. The couple moved to Vestal, NY where their only daughter, Kristin, was born. Patricia taught for the Vestal Central School District starting in 1950 during the ‘baby boom’ years. She ended up teaching in a two room school house called Ross Corners Annex where she completed her 24 years of teaching for Vestal. Pat enjoyed bowling @ Midway Bowling Alley in Vestal and playing Pinochle. Patricia was truly a classy lady who had social grace and a wonderful sense of fun! She loved people, dancing, and was the hostess with the mostest when she and Phil would have parties at their house. Patricia has always been a woman who has lived the life of a true Christian. She has been kind to others, loved all that has been in her charge from teaching little people, caring for a mother who was a cardiac cripple, and coming to the aid of family members. She loved the Lord and was a member of the Vestal Methodist Church for over 40 years. Patricia is survived by her only child, Kristin Persley, Vestal. Her first cousins: Frederica Ann Gibson, Canandagua, NY, Raymond Hubbard and (Jackie), Dade City, FL., Patricia Simmons, Denver, Col., Melissa Blake-Butler and (Charles), Oswego, NY, and William McDermott and (Crystal), Oswego, NY, with special mention of second cousins: Brenda Dowd and John, San Francisco, CA., and Brad Hubbard and (Jennifer Brown), Marlow, NH., Tom Gibson and (Michelle), Canandagua, NY, Patti Gibson, Greene, NY, and Jim Gibson and (Connie), PA., Jillian Bergstresser and (Dan), Oswego, NY, Colin Blake and (Rebecca), Somersworth, NH, Kelly Rudeen and (Tony), Denver, CO., Brenda Pomeroy and (Zach), Denver, CO. Her sister-in-law, Hazel (Persley) Bailey of Grand Island, NY. Her nephews, Richard Bailey and (Helen), Grand Island, NY, Peter Herman and (Debbie), Apalachin, NY, and her niece, Jean Herman, Vestal, NY.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 11:00 AM from the Allen Memorial Home 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, NY. Rev. Ernest Steffensen will officiate the service. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 4-6 PM. People have been inquiring as to expressions of sympathy in Patricia’s memory. The following is a list of possibilities that would please her: The Vestal United Methodist Church 328 Main Street, Vestal, NY 13850; Project Paw, Inc. 127 Bevier Street, Binghamton, NY 13904; Broome County Humane Society, 2 Jackson St., Binghamton, NY 13903 or flowers would be lovely!