Category: Obituaries

Janice Grace Fardette

Rochester, NY – died peacefully on Monday, May 27th at age 79, with all four of her children by her bedside, expressing their love for her. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lyle & Anna (Rodak) Fardette. Her siblings, Carole Foulkrod, Robert Fardette, and James Fardette.
She is survived by her children, Tom (Amy) Butler, Lisa (Art) Zimmer, John (Judy) Butler, and Jennifer Wesline. Her grandchildren, Christopher, Kristen, Arthur, Matthew, Jesica, Sarah, Nicolas, Joseph, David, Zachary, Eric, and Jay. Her great-grandchildren Alexis, Skylar, Joelle, Hadley, Vivian, Noah, and Sebastian (with one on the way). Her sister, Yvonne Dailey, and Brother-in-law James Foulkrod.
As a single mother, she initially provided for her children by working as a waitress at places such as Tale of the Whale and The Lamplighter (where she learned to cook Hungarian dishes).
In 1980 she switched to factory work at Whirlwind Music (assembly, driver, data entry). In 1984 she was hired by Kodak (chemical handler and secretary), where she spent the next several years. In 1989, she chose to return to school and upgrade her GED from Charlotte High School into a BA in Education, graduating with honors in 1993 from SUNY Brockport. She was a proud inductee of the honor society Phi Theta Kappa. Shortly after earning her degree, she felt a call in a different direction; to help the ill and infirm. She spent almost 30 years of her life as an HHA working for Tender Loving Care, Genesee Region Home Care, ViaHealth, and Lifetime Care and Hospice, retiring in 2020. She continued as a dedicated Hospice volunteer at The Vincent House in Wayland, retiring in March of 2024. In 2005, she became a member of Mensa, the high IQ society. However, she always considered her family her greatest accomplishment.
She was very creative and enjoyed several hobbies over the years, which she shared with her children: music appreciation, skating (roller and ice), gardening, singing, dancing, cooking, bowling, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, cards, genealogy, and Scrabble. One of her most favorite pastimes was camping, especially at the Thousand Islands, where she began taking her children every year in 1974. Swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife, campfires and “ice cream walks” were all part of this experience. She bowled on several leagues over the years, most recently the Parkette’s at Dewey Gardens where she finished her 10th and final season (still with her 14lb ball!) in March of 2024. She was fiercely independent and never used the word “Can’t”, always finding a way to get things done and make ends meet. She approached every obstacle as a challenge to solve and never gave up. As her grandchildren grew, she began holding an annual Grandma Camp at her home in Wayland, to teach them camping and life skills and bond with them. They all remember these times fondly. Her final gardening project was growing a rose bush. A single red rose bloomed the morning of her passing, as she moved on to her homecoming.

Per Janice’s wishes, no services are scheduled. Private interment.

Walsh, Rose Lucy (Zaso)

Heaven gained an angel on May 30, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Born October 21, 1939 in Dansville, New York to Clara M. (D’Agostino) and Joseph A. “Smoky” Zaso. Rose remains in the hearts of her family: her children, Barbara Walsh, Karen (Donald) Ziemniak, and John (Cassandra) F. Walsh III. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life, Michael Faggiano, Jr., Bayley (Brandon) McMichael, Colton Walsh and Stanford Speranza. Her great-grandchildren were the sparkle in her eyes, Gianna, Mia, Rayne Faggiano, and Briley McMichael. She leaves a hole in the hearts of her sisters: Lucille Flynn (Kenny), Mary Hossen, and Alma Niver. Loved by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Rose is predeceased by her husband, John F. “Specs” Walsh, Jr.; her parents, Joseph “Smoky” and Clara Zaso; father and mother-in-law, John F. Walsh Sr. and Gertrude; sister-in-law Trudy Pelletier; brothers-in-law Gerald C. “Turk” Hossen, Thomas L. Niver; and nephew Shawn P. Flynn.
Rose’s family is grateful for the exceptional care team at Highland Hospital ICU and Floor W7.

A private Interment will be held at a later date.

Carol E. Rehbach, 79, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, in her home on June 3, 2024.

Born on June 25, 1944, to Edith (Rathbun) and Albert Roberts, Carol grew up on her family’s farm in Oriskany Falls, NY and later moved to Rochester, NY where she raised her family. While her children were young, she worked in the pharmacy at Key Drugs, always making sure to be out in time for every lacrosse, hockey, track and cross-country event. She truly loved watching her kids play and that continued on with her grandchildren.

In addition to being a great mom and grandma, she had an incredible talent for turning something old into something beautiful. This showed in the homes that she and Bruce renovated and, of course, always having the prettiest garden on the block. The last 20 years she spent having the most fun, starting a successful furniture painting business with shops in two local co-ops. This brought her an incredible amount of joy. Any free time that she had was spent helping others. She was a caregiver by nature and this was returned to her tenfold with many lifelong friends. Their visits and calls were a great comfort and she was showered with love.

Carol is predeceased by her parents, brothers Gerald and Stephen Roberts and daughter-in-law, Sherolyn Milles. She is survived by her devoted husband Bruce; children David Milles, Karen (David) Johnson, Paul (Tiffany Marshall) Milles; grandchildren Rebakka (Benjamin) DiLauro, Allen, Christopher, Ila, Benjamin, and Isabella; great-grandson Henry; sisters, Susan (Gerry) McConnell, Patricia (Ed) Barth and Virginia Cogley; mother-in-law Patricia Rehbach and many nieces and nephews.

Carol requested no service. If you’d like to do something special for her, plant something beautiful in your garden and think of her and smile. We will miss her terribly.

Bonnie L. Russell

(May 23^rd 1964-May 30^th 2024)

Jean “Jeannie” McDonald

June 24, 1934 – May 24, 2024

Predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Richard G. McDonald. Survived by her loving daughter, Debra lee McDonald, sisters-in-law Diane (Bobby) McDonald Siple and Rosemarie (Mickey) McDonald, devoted friends Tommy Arena, who she loved like a son, and the late Nettie Tyson who became like a daughter to Jeannie, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her Funeral Mass will be held Friday June 14th at 11am at St. Ann’s Home Chapel 1500 Portland Ave. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. No flowers please.

Roberta Riggall Eve

Passed on May 19, 2024.
Predeceased by her parents Carl & Audrey Riggall; and sisters Mary Amidon and Jennifer Riggall. Survived by her husband Jeffrey Eve; son Joshua McBride; daughter Tabitha McBride (Shawn Donovan); granddaughter Skylar Donovan; sisters Linda (Ray) Stock, Kathy (Henry) Fields, Audrey (Christopher) Maguda; brother Carl Riggall III; furry friends Meeko, Eli, and Zeus; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Bobbi was a retiree of the State Hospital in Syracuse where she worked 39 years. She was also active in the Marcellus Ladies Auxiliary until moving to Rochester and was active in the New York State Ladies Auxiliary. She loved spending time with her granddaughter, baking, and playing cards.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 4^th 4-8 PM at Plis Funeral Home 33 North St. Marcellus, NY 13108 and Wednesday, June 5^th 4-8 PM at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY 14609. A graveside service will be held Thursday, June 6^th at 10:30 AM at Riverside Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

Richard J. Donals

Greece/Conesus Lake – May 26, 2024 at 94. Joined the love of his life, Velma R. Weather. He was the head, she the heart and together, our foundation. Loving father of Nancy Donals, Marianne Donals, James (Corrine), Dan (Peggy), Grandfather of Timothy (Marnee) Burke, Kevin (Kristina) Burke, Christa Tyson, Meghan (Rob) Arscott, Emilie (Patrick) Lazenby, Kaitlin (Matt) Cup, Garrett (Chelsey) Donals, Kelly (Matt) Noyes, Rick Kemp, Sara Donals (Matt Faiello), Michael Donals, and 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Richard (Dick) Donals was a devoted Husband, Father, Family Man. Married to wife Velma Weather in June of 1951, they remained married for 70 years until her passing in July of 2021.

He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953 as a Master Sergeant. Other than his two-year service to country, he served as a proud member of Local 13 Plumbers and Pipefitters from 1950-1986. In 1982, after working for three Local 13 contractors, he started his own company with partner’s Gil Venette and Larry Mehlenbacher called Livingston Mechanical Contractors.

Dick worked hard and played harder throughout his career. Dick earned the respect of everyone he worked with. He enjoyed life and lived life to its fullest.

He met most of his life-long friends at the 10th ward playground, usually starting in a fight and ending up best friends for life.

From a young boy, he always enjoyed being on the water. Dick and Velma retired on Conesus Lake, and wintered in Palm Harbor, Florida.

He enjoyed boating, swimming, golf, and bowling. He was an organizer of many leagues, tournaments, even a third of July parade on McPherson’s Point which is still carried out to this day.

He was always welcoming and ready to receive family and friends at either of his vacation homes. We had many gatherings for Holidays, weekend cookouts, or just to play cards. Whatever the occasion, it was always a good time.

He will be sadly missed, but the classic stories and memories will bring laughter to all future gatherings for years to come.

His legacy and memories will live on through his extended family and everyone he came in contact with.

Many thanks to the staff at the Jewish Home on the 4 Southwest Unit. Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Calling hours will be Thursday June 27th from 4-7pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd.  Services will be held privately.

Albert Yao Kouao was born July 7th, 1983, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and was known for his unwavering dedication to his family and community, as well as his smiles, jokes, resilience and compassionate nature. He passed away on May 1, 2024, leaving behind a legacy filled with professional achievements and personal kindness. To honor his memory, a viewing and a Funeral service will be held at Dierna Funeral Home on May 31, 2024; respectively at 9am and 10am (EST) with Father Gary Tyman of Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Avenue, Rochester. Albert attended the Cours Secondaire Protestant in Cotonou Bénin where he achieved his high school diploma. He then emigrated to Ann Arbor in Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree in Programming Information System] from Washtenaw Community College. He worked at St John’s Nursing Home and The Highlands at Pittsford and then found Ellison Transportation. Albert was a devoted partner to Trishana and a loving father to his children, Amare and Layla, and to his stepdaughter Gabby. His family was his world, and he demonstrated his love through constant involvement and support in all aspects of their lives. He maintained a close and loving relationship with his parents, Mathias Kouao and Christiana Avah, and shared a special bond with his siblings, Max, Yvonne, Franck, Aaron, and Edna, who were integral to his life. Memorial donations may be made to paypal: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/94IdNcpcTU. The family offers their heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support during this time. Your comforting condolences and gestures of love are truly appreciated.

Chris Thanos

April 17th, 1948-May 18th, 2024

Chris was a man who loved a good meal and cup of coffee almost as much as he loved family and friends. He was wise, kind, generous and loving. He could also be a bit of a curmudgeon…but at age 76, he earned that right! Chris was patriotic (often sporting his favorite color red), was a member of the Boy Scouts for over 20 years and absolutely loved dogs.

Chris was very proud of his Italian and Greek heritage. He and his 5 siblings were born and raised in the city of Rochester. His parents instilled a strong sense of family and the importance of their Catholic faith. After leaving school in 6th grade, Chris began working as a young adolescent to support his family. In his early 20’s, Chris married and celebrated the birth of two children. Chris cherished those early memories of his family and photos that captured the love he had for them. Chris worked hard throughout his adult life – he held jobs at the Armory, at restaurants and in food service. He knew his way around the city of Rochester like the back of his hand. During his retirement years, Chris’s friend (and former social worker) Angela was re-connected to him. Their deep love and trust in one another were evident. Angela introduced Chris to his Heritage Christian Services family where he met his dear friends Jeff and Julie.

With their support, Chris moved from his apartment in the city to Fairport where he could be closer to friends. In 2018, Chris fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling to Graceland and soaking up everything Elvis who was one of his heroes!

In April of 2019, just before his 71st birthday, Chris moved into his home in Brighton. He said the best birthday he ever had was when he moved into Winton. He celebrated with hibachi and received a gold watch. Later, he bought a silver watch that he treasured. The tradition of going out for hibachi and having steak on his birthday continued through the years.

Chris felt at home in his “man cave” where he loved watching the Food Network. He also enjoyed watching the Bills play on Sunday with his housemates, and watching Westerns and action movies. Chris developed very close bonds with many of the staff at Winton particularly Genny. He had a trademark belly laugh and wink that will be missed.

Chris is predeceased by both his parents, William Thanos and Theresa Sorrentino, brothers Tony, George and Bill and sisters Fanny and Anna. We celebrate that they have been reunited as a family. Chris will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

A Mass will be celebrated in honor of Chris at Holy Cross Church 4492 Lake Ave Rochester, NY 14612 at 10:30am this Friday May 24th followed by a graveside service at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.