Obituary of Olive M. LaBonte

WEST COXSACKIE - Olive M. LaBonte, 94, passed away peacefully early Friday morning, June 5, 2015 after a brief illness. Born at home in Potter Hollow on August 15, 1920, she was daughter of the late Dean S. and Clara Bates Cook. Olive was raised on the family farm in Cooksburg, and graduated from the one-room Potter Hollow School. She worked as a chambermaid in many of the boarding houses, and in an ammunition factory during World War II. Later, she was a package worker at the former Stiefel Labs. Olive attended Pilgrim Holiness Church in Middleburgh, and in later years, attended Greenville Center Baptist Church. She enjoyed Sunday dinner each week at O'Neill's Cafe in Cairo with her best friend, Alice Vander Pyle, who predeceased her on November 24, 2014. Olive had many friends and was always doing for others, whether it was making meals, baking pies or batches of cookies; she took pleasure in these activities. She also enjoyed flower gardening, bird watching, and her pet poodles, of which there were several over the years. Olive is survived by her son, Dennis (Violet) Statham; five grandchildren, Debbie Rolleri, Scott Statham, Dawn Sieburg, Dennis Statham II, and Brian Statham; 14 great-grandchildren, __ great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, James Eldon Cook, Maurice R. Cook and Walter G. (Wilma) Cook; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Olive was predeceased by her husband, George LaBonte; son, Duwayne Statham; brothers, Oliver D., Lawrence and Ernest W. Cook. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Potter Hollow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Greenville Center Baptist Church, 1920 CR 41, Greenville, NY 12083, or to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144 will be appreciated. Condolence page at ajcunninghamfh.com.