Mary E. Georgia

Mary E. Georgia of Route 89, Trumansburg, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2008 at the age of 92.

Born on July 5, 1916, Mary was a lifetime resident of the Town of Covert where her ancestors were some of the first settlers in the early 1800's. The youngest child and only daughter of Thomas F. Wellin and Georgia Victoria Patrick, Mary often joked that it was fortunate for her that she was not given her mother's first name or she would have spent the past 70 years as "Georgia Georgia".

As a child, Mary broke her leg and had complications which required a year-long recovery in the Ithaca Hospital. (Mary's mother had passed away at an early age so her Aunt Hattie found a job in Ithaca and devoted herself to Mary's care). Mary's mended leg was four inches shorter than her other leg which caused her to walk on her tip-toe to compensate. In the 60's Mary finally had special, built-up shoes made which eased her back pain. Years of walking without the special shoe caused her back to be twisted and caused her a great deal of pain in her later years. In jest, Mary referred to herself as "Old GG" for "Grunt and Groan".

She attended grade school in Kingtown in a one-room schoolhouse and later graduated from the Trumansburg High School. She married Charles H. Georgia in 1938 and while her new husband was serving in the Merchant Marines during WW II, Mary learned how to style women's hair. She worked out of her home but was willing to travel to older women's homes for their convenience. Mary would only make enough money to keep gas in her car and maybe buy an occasional new dress but she enjoyed the socialization. It may have been at this time that Mary started using a favorite Bess Miller quote, "Whatever you do, don't get old".

Mary often delighted in the memories of carpooling with the neighborhood women and children to Sheldrake Point or Eunice Wellin's cottage for a summer celebration picnic. She often gazed through her large picture window overlooking Cayuga Lake while playing scrabble, working on crossword puzzles or playing solitaire "to keep my mind working" she would quip.

Mary looked forward to the weekly visits from her niece, Judy Wellin on Tuesdays and on Sundays Mary was a regular at the Falls Restaurant for breakfast where she would enjoy her egg over easy and a slice of toast..."The incredible, edible egg" she would say with a smile.

Returning the act of kindness, Mary cared for her Aunt Hattie until her passing in 1957. Mary was also preceded in death by her husband in 1981 and by her brothers, Harry, Joseph, Frank and Fred Wellin.

She is survived by two children, Sandra Neiss (R. David) and David Georgia; three grandchildren, R . David Neiss, Jr., Dawn Neiss Potter and Shawn Neiss (partner: Tawnee) and three great-grandchildren, Steven and Nathan Potter and Alexander Rappleye-Neiss.

The family will be present to receive friends at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg from 2-3 pm on Sunday, September 7, 2008. A Memorial Service will follow the calling hours, beginning at 3:00 pm, with the Rev. Jim Geuder officiating.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Mary's memory to kindly consider the Trumansburg Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 418, Trumansburg, NY 14886.