Obituary of Dorothy E Maffin

Dorothy E. Maffin, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2019, surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her son, Paul Rees (Margaret) Maffin of Ridgeland, MS; grandson, Christopher James (Kim) Maffin of Chicago, IL; granddaughter, Elizabeth Joy (Mark) Geoffriau of Ridgeland, MS; great-grandchildren, Samuel John and Katherine McKenzie Maffin of Chicago, IL, Andrew Harold Geoffriau of Ridgeland, MS; nephews, Richard (Peggy) Cane of Perry, FL, Robert (Evelyn) Cane of St. Augustine, FL and James (Linda) Cane of Logan, UT. She was predeceased by her husband, Clyde M. Maffin in 1983; parents, Herbert and Olive Rees; and sister, Virginia.

Born on November 16, 1916 in Syracuse, NY, Dorothy was the daughter of Herbert J. and Olive H. (Ellis) Rees.  She grew up in Utica, NY and graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1936.  Dorothy attended the University of Buffalo and received her RN in 1939 and BS in 1941.  She joined the US Army Nurse Corps in 1941 as First Lieutenant.  Dorothy served at Fort Niagara, NY and then Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington, DC, until her discharge on September 13, 1944.  She married Clyde M. Maffin on September 18, 1943. After WWII, Clyde and Dorothy moved to Canandaigua, NY. She worked at the VA Hospital in Canandaigua and then the Wood Library in Canandaigua until 1982.

Dorothy pursued and mastered many interests and hobbies including sewing, knitting, miniature tableaus, gardening and ceramics.  She was a member and teacher in the Historic Society of Early American Decorators, Canandaigua Botanical Society, Ontario County and Bloomfield Historical Societies. Dorothy and husband Clyde were named Historians of the Year in 1982. She was Ontario County Senior Citizen in 2001. Dorothy was an active member of the United Church of Canandaigua, where she sang in the choir for 55 years and served on many boards and committees.

Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

Her memorial service will be held Sunday, October 27, at 1 pm, at The United Church, 11 Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424.  Her family invites her many friends to attend the service and celebrate her long, well-lived life.  Her graveside service will be held Monday, October 28, at 9:30 am, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 130 N. Pearl St., Canandaigua, NY 14424.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The United Church Missions Fund, 11 Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or The Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424.  Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua.  Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.