Harvia Gillespie Chaffee, 90, of Hannibal, passed away Tuesday, August 14 at St. Luke Residential Health Services in Oswego. She graduated from Fulton High School and had attended business school in Oswego. Harvia had worked in Hannibal Central School District cafeterias for many years retiring in 1984. She resided on Auburn Street in Hannibal for over 50 years. Harvia was a member of the former Hannibal Community Church, which is now God's Vision Christian Church, where she was superintendent of the Sunday school for 25 years. She also sang in the church choir and had served as an officer in the women's association, as church treasurer and as a deacon. Harvia was active and held various offices in the Order of the Eastern Star, Hannibal Senior Citizens and Hannibal Historical Society. She was known as a good friend, visiting and taking food to her neighbors. Harvia enjoyed traveling, cooking, baking, sewing and interacting with her children, grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren. Her husband of 47 years, Neil Burleigh Chaffee, predeceased her in 1989. Surviving are her son, James (Faith) Chaffee of Sterling; daughters, Carol (Lowell) Newvine of Hannibal, Muriel (Warren) Barkley of Three Mile Bay and Donna (Jerry) Blake of Hannibal; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Laura Stock of Baldwinsville, Mary Earle of Phoenix and Marjorie (Donald) Strine of North Chili and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, August 17 at Foster Funeral Home, 837 Cayuga Street, Hannibal with a memorial service to immediately follow at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Meadowbrook Manor Activities Fund, 31 Oswego Street, Hannibal, 13074 or to God's Vision Christian Church, P.O. Box 69, Hannibal, 13074.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from August 14 to August 15, 2012


Submitted by Frank