Obituary of Carolyn J. Trenchard

BATH: Carolyn J. Trenchard, 89, formerly of Ste. Rte. 53 passed away Monday morning, November 27, 2023, at Wellsville Manor, where she had resided since March of 2022. Carolyn was born June 21, 1934 in Bath, NY to the late Lynn and Eda (Buck) Silsbee. For 15 years she owned and operated the Empire Diner in Bath. She was an elected Wheeler town board official and first female board member, served from 1982 to 2009, a Kanona Fire Department event volunteer and an original ladies auxiliary member for decades. She was a member of the Wheeler Grange and a member of the Wheeler United Methodist Church. Carolyn is survived by two daughters Carole Knowles of Campbell, Yvonne (Jack) O’Brien of Penfield, one son Alan (Heather) Trenchard of Bath, 4 grandchildren, Paul (Kasey) Knowles and Brian (Nicole) Knowles, Nicole (Nathan) Silsbee and Caitlin Trenchard, great-grandchildren Alexander, Jaiden and Kailee. She is also survived by two brothers Wilmont Silsbee and Richard Silsbee of Bath, five sisters, Joyce Pitts of LA, Dorothy Cooper of Wallace, Elaine Benjamin of Risingville, Marilyn (Richard) Cooper of Wallace and Betty (David) Conrad of Bath, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a great-granddaughter Hailey Elizabeth Knowles and a daughter Linda Crocker. The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 5-7 pm Thursday November 30th at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo, where funeral and committal services will take place Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Nondaga Cemetery in Bath, NY. Memorial contributions in Carolyn’s name may be made to either the Wheeler United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are in care of H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.