IN MEMORIAM: Virginia M. Gracey, 86;

Church & Scott Store Clerk For 29 Years

COOPERSTOWN – Virginia M. Gracey, long-time sales clerk at Church & Scott, passed peacefully Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2019, at Bassett Hospital. A native and life-long resident of Cooperstown, she was 86.

Born Virginia Mae Potter on Oct. 16, 1932, in Cooperstown, she was one of five children of William Leigh Potter and Florence Elizabeth Smith Potter. Graduating from Cooperstown High School, Class of 1950, she joined Remington Rand in Ilion.

On Aug. 10, 1957, she married J. Andrew Gracey at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, and for many years Ginny and Andy made their home in Toddsville.

When their children got older, Ginny went back to work, and through the years was employed at the Village Library of Cooperstown, the deli department at the Great American, the gift shop at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Rudy’s Liquor Store. She also cleaned houses and ironed clothes for families in the Village.

She will best be remembered for working as a sales clerk at Church & Scott. Known especially for taking care of the jelly beans and greeting cards, Ginny was a faithful employee for 29 years until she retired at the age of 82.

Raised in the Baptist faith, Ginny and her family were members of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. After she and Andy were married and the kids were grown, they began attending the Fly Creek United Methodist Church and became faithful and well-loved members. Ginny will be fondly remembered for writing many puppet plays for Sunday worship services that were appreciated by young and old alike. She truly enjoyed the fellowship she shared with the members of her church family.

Ginny is survived by her three children, sons Richard Gracey and wife, Gerrie, and Kenneth Gracey and wife, Lisa, all of Oneonta, and daughter Patricia Gracey of Fort Plain; six grandchildren, Ryan Gracey, Abigail Gracey, Lillian Gracey, Brandy Mills and husband Wes, Maura Fink and husband Kenneth, and Jack Gracey and wife Lynnette; three great-grandchildren, Gage Douglas Fink, Nathaniel Richard Mills and Matthew John Gracey; one sister, Connie Potter of Menands; a sister-in-law, Becky Potter of Ilion; and many nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her beloved cat, Amos.

She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Andy, who died Jan. 7, 2003; their son, Douglas William Gracey, who died Nov. 19, 2005; a great-grandson, Samuel Edward Mills, who died June 27, 2016; and three brothers, Earl D. Potter,  who died July 25, 1958, Harold W. Potter, who died April 1, 2001, and Ralph E. Potter, who died Jan. 30, 1992.

Calling hours for Ginny will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, 852 County Highway 26, Fly Creek.

A funeral service will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor, officiating. Immediately following the service there will be a reception downstairs at the church, where everyone may enjoy some of Ginny’s favorite foods.

Burial will be later this Spring in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, PO Box 128, Fly Creek, NY  13337.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.