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Mary L. “Peg” Hover, of Hornell

Mary L. “Peg” Hover, of Hornell

HORNELL-Mary L. “Peg” Hover, 74, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning (June 1, 2014) at her home on Riverside Drive.

Born in Hornell on March 10, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Hazel Hafner Bash. On August 20, 1960 she was married in Hornell to James Hover, who predeceased her on June 4, 2001 after nearly 41 years of marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her brother, Emmett Bash and her sister, Edna Kohnke.

A lifelong resident of Hornell, Peg was a graduate of Hornell High School where she was the valedictorian of the class of 1957. She also attended the University of Rochester and Alfred University and received a Master’s degree in education.

Peg was employed as a teacher for the Hornell City School District, Alfred-Almond Central School and retired from Arkport Central School. After retiring, she graduated from Alfred State College where she received an Associate’s degree in Nursing and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She was employed as a Registered Nurse for Southern Tier Hospice, Hornell Gardens and as a substitute school nurse for the Hornell City School District and Arkport Central School.

She was a very active member of the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell where over the years she served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, director of the children’s choir and was a member of the adult choir. Peg was also a member and past-president of the Arkport Exchange Club, was instrumental in forming the Ecology Club at Arkport Central School, and also served as a group leader for educational tours to Europe.

Music played a large role in Peg’s life, but among her other interests were her love of animals, gardening and knitting; in fact, Peg probably knitted well over 100 of her ‘famous’ Christmas stockings for family and friends over the years. She was often considered as an adventure seeker and was willing to do just about anything, including sky diving at the age of 72. Peg will be remembered most of all for being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Her loving family includes her four children, Dr. Jim (Sandy) Hover of Almond, Carol Hover of Hornell, Kathy (Frank) Ames of Saranac, N.Y. and Rick (Amy) Hover of Canton, Ohio; her five grandchildren, April (Greg) Bundrick, Andrew Hover, Elizabeth Hover, Kaelyn Hover and Alayna Hover; her two great-grandchildren, Gregory and Danika Bundrick; her long time companion, Gus Zito of Emporium, Pa.; her brother, Jerry Bash of MD; her sister, Dorothy Sayles of FL; also her nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Mary L. “Peg” Hover.

Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral service will be held in her memory at 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main St., Hornell, with the Rev. Virginia Murray officiating. Private committal services and interment will be at Rural Cemetery, Hornell.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to the choir of the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences or remembrances of Peg are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.


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