Obituary of Irma E. Woodward

GOUVERNEUR – Mrs. Irma E. Woodward, age 100, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Gouverneur Hospital. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with her funeral service immediately following at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Richard Mayforth of the Gouverneur Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the Purmort Cemetery in Depeyster. Irma was born on November 27, 1917 in Macomb to the late Gerald and Cassie (Widrick) Thornhill. She graduated from Canton High School in 1936 and from the Watertown School of Commerce in 1937. Irma married Allen S. Woodward on September 17, 1940 at her parents' home in Canton with Rev. Dr. Richard Sykes, President Emeritus of St. Lawrence University, officiating. The couple owned and operated a Dairy Farm on Rock Island Road from 1945 until 1969. Mr. Woodward passed away on October 26, 1999. Mrs. Woodward had previously worked at Production Credit in Canton, W.T. Grant Co., the Gouverneur Tribune Press, and for St. Lawrence National Bank, which is now known as Community Bank. She was a member of the Gouverneur Presbyterian Church, director and former Secretary of the Gouverneur Historical Association, member and former President of the Gouverneur Business Women, member and past President of the Northern NY Federation of Women's Clubs, member of the Antwerp and Gouverneur Rebekah Lodge #15, and Past Noble Grand and District Deputy of the Rebekah's. Irma was also a member of the Macomb Grange, the Gouverneur Grange for over 70 years, member and past Secretary and Treasurer of the Macomb Senior Citizens Club, former 4-H Leader and served on several committees for 4-H. Her survivors include her two daughters, Marilyn Parker of Gouverneur, Mrs. Clinton (Ellen) Young of Macomb; her two sons, Charles Woodward of Honeoye and Allen and Trudy Woodward, Jr. of Waterloo; and a foster son, Carl Dewey of N.C. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and one cousin. She is predeceased by a son, Gerald Woodward; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Charles (Jackie) Woodward and Mrs. Gerald (Gladys) Woodward and a son-in-law, Ray Parker. For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Irma, please make them to the Gouverneur First Presbyterian Church, 22 Church Street, Gouverneur NY 13642 or the Gouverneur Rescue Squad, PO Box 164, Gouverneur NY 13642.