Elaine Frances (Cooney) Wurstner (96) died peacefully on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Geneva General Hospital, with her family at her side. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 8 at 12 noon at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard St., Seneca Falls, after which, Elaine will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Herbert, in Saint Columbkille Cemetery, in a private ceremony.
Elaine was born in Buffalo, N.Y. to Edward and Johanna (Volkheimer) Cooney. She met the love of her life and was married to Herb on September 9, 1950, and together they raised their three children: Gary E. (Patricia) Wurstner of Waterloo, Jefferey A. (Jacqueline) Wurstner of Omaha NE, and Lori A. (Stephen) VanKirk of Seneca Falls, in Tonawanda, N.Y. before moving to Seneca Falls in 1977.
Outside of the home, Elaine had a busy social life and was active in her community in many ways. She was involved with the Rosner Program at Frank Knight Elementary School, was a member of the Fortnightly discussion group, enjoyed playing golf as a longtime member of the Seneca Falls Country Club, and was a pretty good bridge partner. Gardening, reading, and hosting family gatherings kept her very busy and, as long as it was possible for her to travel, she loved her frequent trips to visit family in Omaha, NE, and her winter sojourns in Florida. Elaine was a longtime member of Saint Patrick's Church in the Saint Francis & Saint Clare Parish.
Elaine was a loving grandmother to Michael J. (Chelsea) Wurstner of Rochester, Rebecka M. Christensen of San Diego, CA, Sara L. (Michael) Rector of Pittsburgh, PA, Matthew J. (Jenifer) Wurstner of Omaha, NE, and Andrew J. (Brianna) VanKirk of Seneca Falls. She was great-grandmother to Charlotte Wurstner of Rochester and Francisco Garcia of San Diego, CA; and step great-grandmother to Bryson Odell of Rochester.
Donations in her memory may be directed to the United Way of Seneca County at uwseneca.org, or to Saint Patrick's Church (Parish Office) at 35 Center Street, Waterloo, N.Y. 13165.
