AUBURN | Neva Louise Morse, 69, of Auburn and formerly of Moravia, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in University Hospital, Syracuse. Neva was a daughter of the late, Floyd and Roberta Kelsey. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She raised and is survived by her five children, Amy, Jennifer, Juliann, Ted and Amanda, but many more call her "mom." Also surviving are a sister, Sara Flick and a brother, Pete Kelsey and several nieces and nephews. She was a lifelong resident of Moravia and Auburn and was a devoted member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Moravia and for a few years, the Moravia Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Having lost her first child at birth followed by the death of her beloved father, Neva was widowed at age 32, by the death of her husband, Richard Morse and left homeless with her five children, all under the age of 11. Despite the pain and difficulties of these tragic circumstances, Neva rose from the ashes to provide for her children as best she could. And her children loved and returned care in kind. Tough circumstances often make for tough people, but Neva was universally regarded as having cultivated a personality of unsinkable optimism, during the final 20 years of her life. She strongly believed that each of her nine grandchildren were the smartest, most clever children she had ever seen. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 14 Church St., Moravia, NY 13118, with the Rev. Perry Mouncey officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church in honor of Neva Morse. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Arrangements are with the Wade Funeral Home, Moravia.
