Obituary of Carrie Jean Dininny

Carrie Jean Dininny, 98 years old, entered her eternal rest on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at her Addison home. She is survived by her 5 children, Joanne (Kent) Coombs, Carolyn (Russell) Gridley, Karen (Doug) Taft, Ruth Tilson and John (Marisol) Dininny. Also, 16 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. CJ was born January 7, 1926 in Painted Post to Mabel Nielson Pierson and Otto Pierson. Her brothers, Harold, Harry and Clarence predeceased her. After high school graduation, Carrie Jean worked in the drafting department of Ingersoll Rand during WW II, until her marriage to J. Hubert “Zeke” Dininny on April 27, 1946. He passed in April 2023. She was business manager for Dininny Dairy along with bottling milk and driving tractor on their family farm in Addison. She was an avid reader and her love of books led her to start several book clubs. She was also a creative poem creator and letter writer and supported many family members with her hilarious compositions. Many Steuben County 4-H ers benefited from her leadership skills in cooking and baking. She was still making her famous apple and lemon pies well into her 90s for church dinners and bake sales. With her devotion to God, she spent many years as an active Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and youth fellowship leader, as well as harmonizing in the Addison Methodist choir. She also enjoyed bowling in the Dininny Half Pints team, driving school bus (station wagons in those days) for Addison Central School and was the truant officer for the school district. On many summer evenings she could be seen riding her moped to the Addison Little League fields to keep score and cheer for her son John and grandsons as they played for Zeke’s Cubs. Carrie Jean was a member of the Addison Grange, Steuben Pomona Grange, New York State Grange and National Grange. She was a Junior Grange leader and Deputy to the State Master for many years, traveling and speaking around the county and state with Hubert. She loved to travel, loved her Swedish heritage, loved to tend her many beautiful flower gardens and always enjoyed watching the birds, CJ and Zeke could be found dancing at Music in the Park and at the Addison Senior Citizen gatherings. She craved Hershey chocolate kisses and Oreos. “Laughter was the best medicine” and “Make your own fun”! You could see her smiling and hear her singing anytime, anywhere, any song. Visitation will be held at the Addison Methodist Church on Monday, June 3 from 10 am to 11:30 am followed by her funeral service at 11:30 am. Burial will be in Addison Rural Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Carrie Jean’s honor to Addison Public Library, 6 South Street, Addison, NY 14801 or Care First, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.