Mary A Hesford

Mary Ann Hesford (Danby), 88 years old, of Pulaski, NY passed peacefully at home with family on July 11, 2026. Mary was born in Center, Colorado on August 30,1937 to Noel Danby and Anna Mae (Abraham) of Wichita, KS. After graduating high school, Mary moved to Denver, Colorado and was employed by Southern Bell as a telephone operator. It was here she met her husband, Ernest Hesford USAF airplane mechanic. Ernie and Mary returned to Wichita, KS her hometown and were married November 30, 1957. Their first home was in Austin, Texas. Shortly thereafter, Ernie was stationed in England. Four years and three daughters later, Ernie was stationed at Edwards AFB in California on the Mojave Desert. The family moved back to Wichita where Ernie worked for Beech Aircraft and Mary resumed work as a telephone operator. As a child, Mary spent summers with her grandmother and uncles on the farm in Cherryvale, KS. It was here, Mary learned how to garden, preserve vegetables, and take care of large and small animals. The times Mary and her brother spent with their grandmother and uncles were the best memories of her childhood. The skills she learned at that time provided the base for the family’s future organic lifestyle. In 1967, the family moved to New York State to fulfil their dreams of healthy living. After a short stay in Adams Center, they bought a small farm in Sandy Pond where they could grow their own food and animals organically to provide a wholesome life for their family. While living in Sandy Pond, Mary became a 4-H leader and joined the St. James Episcopal Church in Pulaski where she was very active. Later, the family bought a farm on Snyder Road in Lacona, NY. After retiring, Mary and Ernie moved to Pulaski where they remained after selling the farm. Mary is predeceased by her husband Ernie on September 12th, 2020 after 63 years of marriage. The couple have three daughters: Sabrina Hesford and Jim Waterman of Pennellville, NY; Anna Hesford and Joseph Hughs of Pulaski, NY; Margaret and Tim Blodgett of Orwell, NY; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren: Ryan and Melissa (Peterson) and great grandson Dylan Blodgett (Maplegrove, MN); Shane Blodgett and Kristina Lenhart (Vernon, NY); Dustin and Yinyin (Chen) and great grandson Hunter Blodgett (China); Felix Bendzunas (Virginia); Joseph Bendzunas (Redfield, NY) Samuel French (Pennelville, NY). A burial will be held at the Boylston-Sandy Creek Cemetery, County Rte15 Boylston on Thursday July 16, at 11:00 am. Calling hours 12-1:30, services and a Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 pm at the St. James Episcopal Church 24 Lake St, Pulaski. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St James Episcopal Church or Hospice of CNY of the Finger Lakes, 990 7th N. St, Liverpool, NY 13088.

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