Obituary of Carolyn P. Schnurle

Carolyn P. Schnurle, 79, of Canisteo N.Y. passed away Wednesday (Dec. 2, 2015) at Brookdale Assisted Living in Ithaca, NY surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. She was born March 7, 1936 in Hornell, the daughter of the late Eldon and Velma (Richardson) Preston. Carolyn's youth was spent growing up on Elm St. in Canisteo. She graduated from Canisteo Central School, where she fell in love with her high school sweetheart John Schnurle. After their marriage in 1954, they both attended Alfred Ag. Tech. In 1956, Carolyn left college to become a mom and homemaker. She spent most of her life raising her three loving children and helping her husband with their family hardware business. She managed both the Americana and Strawberry Basket Gift shops. Carolyn and John moved to Dryden, NY in 1970 when John took a job with the Ithaca Gun Company. They returned to Canisteo in 1977 to manage the family hardware business, where Carolyn again became the gift shop manager. Carolyn and John retired in 2001. In 1987, Carolyn and John purchased the Buena Vista Schoolhouse No.15, which they renovated and converted into a beautiful home. Carolyn was an avid antique collector and filled their home with all of her favorite things. Much of Carolyn and John's retirement years were spent refinishing and reselling antiques and traveling to antique shows in the Adirondacks with lifelong friends Barb and Dick Terry and Don and Marcia Merring. Many happy years were spent as "Snow Birds" to Fort Myers and Englewood, FL, sharing great times with close friends. Summers were spent at home in Buena Vista with family and lifelong friends. Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of her Brittany Spaniels, Bess, Babe and currently Annie. Carolyn and John's other travel adventures took them to Montana, Wyoming and Evergreen, Co. for their granddaughter's wedding. Carolyn had been involved in several organizations - Eastern Star, Home Bureau, Stitchery Club, the Wimodausian Library, Fortnightly Club, Rug Hooking Club, Dryden Foster Family Program. She had attended the Canisteo United Methodist Church, and in later years became an active member of the Buena Vista Wesleyan Methodist Church. Carolyn is predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, John Schnurle of Canisteo. Carolyn is survived by a son Michael (Donna) Schnurle of Spencer, two daughters: Marcy (William) Howell of Alpharetta, GA and Kimberly Schnurle-Chase of Brooktondale, 5 grandchildren: Sarah (Jeff) Orlowski, Benjamin Schnurle, Allison Schnurle, Hallie and Hannah Chase and her beloved dog Annie. She is also survived by her sister Arlene Ellison of Northfield, NJ. and brother Dwight Preston of Cairo, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by numerous relatives from the Richardson, Preston and Schnurle families. Carolyn's family was the center of her world and she was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She was looking forward to the arrival of her first great-granddaughter Wilder Orlowski. She was truly loved by her family and many, many friends and will be dearly missed. The family will receive friends from 4-7 PM Friday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St in Canisteo. Funeral and committal services will take place Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home with Pastor Edward Crandall and Daniel Pickering officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo. Carolyn's favorite color was red and her family invites all attendees to express their love for her by wearing something red. Memorial contributions in Carolyn Schnurle's name may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - www.lls.org, the American Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.org, or the Hornell Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 533, Hornell, NY 14843.�� Service: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 11:00 AM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home�� 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY Visitation: Friday, December 4, 2015 4 to 7 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home�� 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY