Age 98 of Lowman, NY Friday October 22, 2010 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Big Flats, NY the twelfth child of the late Jacob and Myra Sharp Bennett. She is survived by her loving daughters, Myra (Beth ) Thomas Morris of North Chemung, NY, RoyAnn Thomas Rogerson of Ballston Lake, NY, and daughter in law, Kathleen Harvey of Erin, NY; grandchildren, Stephanie (Joel) Moore of Watkins Glen, NY, Lisa (Eric) Lawrenz of North Chemung, NY, Erica (Dave) Lavery of Portsmouth, RI, Janette Marie Rogerson of Rotterdam, NY, and Robert Coffman of Honeoye Falls, NY; great grandchildren, Sara (Rob) Moore Gruver of Watkins Glen, NY, Rachel (Ron) East of Horseheads, NY, Rebekah (Nathan) Hess of Fort Riley, Kansas, Amy Elizabeth, Meghan Faith, Hannah Renee, MiKayla Christine, Amanda Dominique Moore of Watkins Glen, NY, Jamie Nicole Lawrenz of Wellsburg, NY, Kyle Eric Lawrenz of North Chemung, NY, Shawn Allen and Ryan Andrew Coffman of Honeoye Falls, NY, Elizabeth Rose and Sean Conall of Portsmouth, RI; great great grandchildren, Joshua Gruver, Amara and Timothy East, Nathaniel Hess and McKenzie Lawrenz; sister in law, Doris Thomas of Florida and Several nieces and nephews. Beside her parents, and eleven brothers & sisters, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Harold Arthur Thomas, her son, Allen LeRoy Thomas, grandson, Craig Allen Elston and great-grandson Joshua David Moore. Myra was a member of the North Chemung United Methodist Church, Excelsior Southern Light Chapter No. 323 of the Order of the Eastern Star and Big Flats Historical Society and a retired Nurses Aid from The Chemung County Infirmary. Friends are invited to call at Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira/Southport on Tuesday October 26, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Officers and members of the Excelsior Southern Light Lodge Chapter No. 323 O.E.S. will meet at 7:30 PM on Tuesday evening to conduct a service. Friends may also call on Wednesday October 27, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Service there at 11:00 AM , The Reverend Ann Mowery, Reverend Chip Possee and Reverend Betty Bement will officiate. Interment will follow in Rural Home Cemetery, Big Flats, NY. Those wishing may make contributions to the North Chemung United Methodist Church, Excelsior Southern Light O.E. S. or the charity of one's choice. We would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the staff of 3C at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, especially Eppy, Tim and the Erway Ambulance Service for their outstanding love, care and devotion.

Published in Star-Gazette from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, 2010