Mary Rusinko

(6/24/39 – 9/3/16) Mary Lyn Rusinko was an incredibly strong, exceptionally courageous person, whose kindness and grace compelled the deep admiration, loyalty, respect and love of family, friends and colleagues alike. Mary earned a BS from Mansfield University and an MS from Elmira College, and devoted her longest career tenure to Ernie Davis Junior High School (Elmira), teaching English for close to thirty years. In addition to teaching and spending time with friends, Mary enjoyed reading fiction thrillers next to her husband in backyard lawn chairs, gardening red geraniums and yellow mums along the front walk of their house, vacationing at the ocean and loving her family. The Rusinko family extends special gratitude to The Homestead at Soldiers & Sailors Hospital (Penn Yan, NY), Appleridge Senior Living (Horseheads, NY), Bethany Village (Horseheads, NY), Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital (Elmira), Arnot Medical Services Ivy II Internal Medicine (Elmira), the Falck Cancer Center (Elmira), the Health Center for Women (Elmira) and all medical personnel who took extraordinary care of Mary during her lifetime in Elmira and most recently in Penn Yan. Mary is predeceased by her husband John Rusinko and is survived by son Michael (Carol) Rusinko, daughter Lynne Rusinko (Joe Caparulo), brother-in-law Alfred Schutz, nieces Johanna (Joseph) Asher, Mary Ellen Gutknecht and Susan (Steven) Warner, nephews Wayne (Melanie) Schutz and John Costa, as well as grandnieces Annie Asher, Anna Gutknecht, Kathleen Warner, Michelle Warner, and nephews Benjamin Asher, Elliot Asher, Alfred Gutknecht and Andrew Gutknecht. Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira. A Funeral Service followed by a Reception will take place Thursday, September 8, 2016, 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Wanda Copeland officiating, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 304 N. Main Street, Elmira. A Private Burial will occur at Woodlawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Chemung County SPCA, Community Arts of Elmira, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, National Kidney Foundation or American Cancer Society. Thank you.