Obituary of Virginia M. Meehan

REXVILLE: Virginia M. Meehan, matriarch of the Meehan family, passed away peacefully Monday morning March 4, 2019 at her home at the age of 92.

Virginia was born January 1, 1927 in Bolivar to the late Clair C. and Isabelle (Willard) Greene. She was predeceased by her husband Francis James Meehan in Feb. of 2011, a son Ronald John Meehan in 2009, a daughter Theresa Moore in 2013 and two sisters, Donna Sherman and Patricia Bennett.

Virginia will be greatly missed by her family and remembered for her beautiful smile, the laughter in her eyes and her unending love for her sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a graduate of Wellsville High School class of 1944. During her high school years, she worked at Jones Memorial Hospital, in Wellsville, as a kitchen helper.

Virginia married Francis J. Meehan on December 15, 1945 in Rexville at St. Mary's Rectory House. Together they owned and operated "Frangin Farms" in Rexville, and while never envisioning a life in farming, Virginia had participated in just about every phase of the family dairy operation. Since 1953, they worked hard at breeding and marketing registered Holsteins throughout the world. They also participated as members and leaders in numerous agricultural associations and clubs.

Virginia enjoyed life to its fullest, like no other. She enjoyed the family get togethers, traveling with her husband all over the world in their association with the Northeast Dairy Cooperative, NYS Holstein-Friesian Association, Allegany-Steuben Holstein Club, National Holstein Association and many other dairy club affiliations. Together she and her husband began one of the first 4-H Clubs in the Rexville area, "The Rexville Clovers".

She was a life-long communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rexville and Our Lady of the Valley in Hornell. In 1995 she served on the committee to plan the St. Mary's 150th Anniversary celebration. She was a member of the St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society and instrumental in the formation of St. Mary's Hospitality Committee. She was also an influential member of the St. Mary's Statue Committee in acquiring the statue of the Cross in St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery in Rexville and the maintaining of the floral decorations surrounding the Cross for many years. She enjoyed this project and took great pride in its accomplishment. Virginia was the 2005 recipient of the NYS Woman of Distinction Award, presented by the NYS Senate. She was the West Union town clerk from 1984 to 2009 and had also served as an election officer for the town. Her tireless efforts for the betterment of society also included fundraising for various charities and assisting others in the community, i.e. the West Union Fire Dept., Greenwood Central School, West Union Ambulance Dept. and Whitesville Central School to name a few.

Virginia's personal time was spent reading and scrapbooking the years of traveling with Francis over the years. She enjoyed attending her sons/daughters, and grandchildren's sporting events, planting and attending her vegetable and flower gardens and canning/freezing the fruits of her labor, which she continued right up until her passing. She took great joy in relating family stories and antidotes passed on by generations. She loved to dance and generally was the first on the dance floor.

Virginia is survived by three sons: William (Nancy) Meehan, Donald (Amy) Meehan all of Rexville, Larry (Brenda) Meehan of FL. two daughters: Marlene (Daniel) Duguid of Williamsburg, MI. Barbara O'Brien of Greenwood, a daughter-in-law Jolene Meehan of Hornell, son-in-law Thomas Moore of Greenwood, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and best friend "Samantha". The family would also like to acknowledge a warm heartfelt thank you for Virginia's kind and compassionate caregivers of the last three years.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 6-8 pm Thursday, March 7 at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo. A Mass and Christian burial will take place Friday at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rexville. Burial will be in St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Virginia's name may be made to the West Union Fire Dept.  (with a memo to Cancer Research), c/o Donald Meehan, 1438 Cty. Rte.98, Rexville, N.Y. 14877.