Category: Obituaries

Mary D’Amico

Chili-Passed away in her home surrounded by family on January 19, 2023.

Predeceased by her husband Marcello “Marty” and parents Patsy & Josephine Pata. Survived by her son Marcello David (Felicidad), grandchildren Divina (David) Cole, Sunshine (Jewelia) Buenaflor, Maryanna (Dallas) Earle, Caroline (Damien Varriteua) D’Amico, great grandchildren Milina Cole, Alexander Earle, Rowan Buenaflor, sisters Carol Teugeman, Frances Thomas, Madelyn (Fred) Gabriel, Patricia Latus, brother Jack (Sharon) Pata, sister-in-law Libby Pannone and Amelia (Roger) Lepsh, many nieces and nephews.

Calling Hours will be Thursday 4-8pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 10am at Church of the Annunciation 1760 Norton St. Entombment White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Rochester Regional Health Hospice.

Juanita Colon was born on April 30, 1927 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family on January 16, 2023 at age 95. Predeceased by her son Victor Cruz. She is survived by her loving children Hector Cruz, Efrain Cruz, Zaida Cruz-Cotto, Roberto Cruz, and Lourdes Santana, she also leaves 21 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

Calling Hours will be Thursday January 19th, from 4-8pm, with a service from 6-7:30pm. Her Funeral Service will be held Friday January 20th, at 12pm at Dierna Funeral Home, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery.

It is with great sadness that we share the sudden passing of our beloved Cheryl A. DeFrain on January 13, 2023. Cheryl was born on September 30, 1960 and at the age of 62 years old she gained her wings. We are devastated by the loss of this energetic, beautiful, bright, bubbly over the top helpful loving woman. Cheryl enjoyed having a good time, she was the life of every party. She was an amazing listener, energetic person of specific detail no matter the task at hand. Cheryl loved her animals. She was a heck of a decorator, an insane organizer, a sharp dresser, an all-time dessert and cookie baker. Although she attended college and received a degree in Business Administration at Bryant & Stratton College, Cheryl soon realized that computers just weren’t her thing. Cheryl was not to be tamed to one jack of trades, she was a professional handy woman, she did everything under the sun. However, her greatest joy was being a mother and raising her daughter Harley. For every obstacle that came her way, she stood in the storm of adversity and with so much strength and courage endured it all.
Cheryl had a personality that just lit up the room, there aren’t enough words to describe Cheryl, not even one. She was like “mom” to so many people at one point of their lives. She would always extend herself to help others, no matter what the cost and was the first to put a smile on your face when you needed it. She was greatly loved, appreciated and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Cheryl was predeceased by her mother Patricia Oberdorf, Grandmother Mabel Coolidge and father John DeFrain. Survived by her two daughters: Harley T. DeFrain and fur babies Dusty & Bandit and Amanda J. Tydings and fur baby Scarlett Siblings: (4 sisters and 1 brother): (oldest) John DeFrain, Debbie DeFrain, Tammy DeFrain, Kimberly DeFrain & Keith Taylor (brother-in-law) and (youngest) Sylvia A. Oberdorf. Her memory lives on with her niece Crystal Taylor and great niece Mia Shriver.
A service will be held in her memory to celebrate her life at Dierna Funeral Home at 2309 Culver Road, Rochester NY 14609 on Sunday January 22, 2023. Calling hours are from 4-6pm followed by a service from 6-7pm.

At the time of her service, we will have a memory box and we ask that you please bring a written memory or photo with a memory of Cheryl so that her family can reminisce at a later time and continue to celebrate her life. We ask that all donations be made to one of the following organizations listed below in memory of Cheryl DeFrain.

Lollypop Farm
Humane Society of Greater Rochester
(585) 223-1330

https://g.co/kgs/E3yabo

Make A Wish Foundation
https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_today&chid=100-000

Natividad Diaz

77 of Rochester, NY. Passed away peacefully on Sunday December 18th, 2022 at 12:07 pm.

He is predeceased by his mother and father Jocoba and Crispio Diaz and his daughter Ana Diaz.

Survived by his beloved daughter Maria Diaz and Sons Carlos Jose and Juan Diaz, 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He also leaves 2 sisters, 7 brothers, 10 nephews and 7 nieces.

Family and friends may attend his Funeral Services on Saturday January 14th, from 4-8pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Road Rochester, NY 14609.

Evelyn Marie Stewart

 72 of Irondequoit, died Wednesday December 21, 2022 in her home after battling a cancer related illness for the past two years.  She was born March 27, 1950, daughter of the late Alva Melvin Rush, Jr. and Opal Louise Burns Rush and has been a resident of the Rochester/Irondequoit and Leroy, NY areas since 1966. Mrs. Stewart was a former member of Seneca Methodist Church where she sang in the church choir; at her death she was a member of UMC Webster. She was a 1968 graduate of Leroy Jr. Sr. High School. Mrs. Stewart was last employed as a medical secretary for several local physicians until her retirement.

Surviving are her husband, Edward Lee Stewart who she married September 10, 1971; two sons, Bryan (Maggie) Stewart and Brandon (Vanessa) Stewart, both of Rochester; four grandchildren, Aidan and Austin, Leila and Arianna Stewart; a brother Gene (Judy) Rush of Rogersville PA; several nieces and nephews. Deceased in addition to her parents is a brother, James Edward Rush who died July 9, 2020.

Her Funeral Service will be held Friday December 23rd, 10am at Riverside Cemetery Chapel of Peace. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to the Isaiah House 71 Prince St. Rochester, NY.

Walter Calvin Wasco

Brighton-May 13, 1942- December 14, 2022

Walter Calvin Wasco was raised in Lorain, Ohio and graduated from Lorain Senior High School. After High School he continued his education attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. While at Ohio University he was a proud Brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated with his degree in Chemical Engineering, completing the five-year program in four and a half years. After graduation he moved to Rochester, NY where he began his career with Eastman Kodak and met his beloved wife, Susan. Working with Eastman Kodak for 34 years he grew from his initial position as Quality Assurance Engineer to the Division Section Manager of the Rolled Film Division prior to his retirement. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lynne Marie Wasco and his parents Walter Edward Wasco and Jane K. Wasco. Surviving Mr. Wasco are his wife of 55 years Susan, children W. Karl Wasco and Susan Uloth, 2 grandchildren Derek and Tori, siblings Carole Houk and Thomas (Barbara) Wasco, and many nieces and nephews.

Services are pending and will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in Mr. Wasco’s memory to Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, 1551 South Winton Road, PO Box 1699, Rochester NY 14618.

Klemp, Louis W. “Hooper”

Irondequiot, NY, on 12/15/2022 at the age of 60, passed away peacefully. Beloved husband to Kelley (Roche). Loving father to JamieLou (Jacob) Allen. Devoted brother to Chuck Klemp, Doug (Katie) Klemp, Dawn (Clarence) Troedel, David (Carolyn) Klemp, Bill (Joyce Harrington) Klemp, Nancy Shields, Kitty (Dan) O’Connor, and Andy Klemp. Predeceased by David (Carolyn) Klemp and Kitty O’Connor and an influencing friend and coach to all. 

Lou was born November 9th of 1962, in Antigo, WI; hence the beginning of the world’s biggest cheesehead fan. Go Pak Go! Even at a young age he was a trickster of all trades; traveling, coaching, playing darts and beach volleyball to working as a handyman. He stumbled upon his wife, Kelley in New Hampshire and they packed up to move to Rochester NY where they had their daughter Jamie Lou. 

As a never-ending worker bee who could never keep his hands in his pockets, Louis took on a multitude of jobs. He was a part of the Town of Irondequoit for 25 years, on top of that he participated in the police auxiliary and officiated high school and college sports. His true passion in his career was coaching. So many had the opportunity to be coached by him; boys and girls volleyball, little league, basketball, and lacrosse. He coached with his whole heart and pushed all his athletes to be greater than he was. 

Always a family man Lou cherished all moments with them, if there was a baby in sight, best believe they were in Uncle Lou’s arms. Lou was the life of all events, when Big Lou walked in, it was time for the party to start! Lou is an amazing man who touched so many souls and had a huge impact over the grounds he walked. He will truly be missed and remembered.

Friends may call Thursday December 22nd, from  4-7pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. Where his funeral service will be held on Friday 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Palliative Care Unit 412 at Strong Memorial Hospital.