Mary Lacey

"Tread softly in the woods of spring - the jack-in-the-pulpits are growing there - ", poet Gwen Frostic. Mary Goodrich Lacey lived gently with inspirational respect for the earth's plants, animals and birds. Her inquisitive mind found constant wonder in the natural world. Born on June 23rd 1919 Mary was the daughter of Helen D. Mack and Wirt W. Goodrich of Rawson Hollow in Berkshire. She graduated Berkshire High School in 1937, and continued her education attending the business school in Ithaca. She married Clarence Arba Lacey in 1941. Mary was a devoted wife and mother of six that created a supportive loving environment that nourished the creative spirit, and championed the personal achievements of her children and grandchildren. She fostered a household environment that nurtured her children's understanding of a world beyond their home in Richford. Mary's gentle spirit, bright intelligence and wit will be missed by her family. She enjoyed traveling with her family throughout the East Coast, California, Arizona, Illinois and Nova Scotia. She particularly appreciated her time spent vacationing on Cape Cod with her children and grandchildren enjoying the natural beauty of the seaside. She was an avid gardener, a bird lover that could name a bird by its song, a voracious reader, and a skilled seamstress and quilter. Mary enjoyed researching the Mack and Goodrich family genealogy and sharing her knowledge with her family members. She was an active member of the Tioga County Historical Society, the Highland Cemetery board, and was a founding member of the Richford Fellowship group. Her participation in these organizations served as a model to her children and grand children that volunteerism and community service is an integral part of a happy life. She is survived by children Joanne Carpenter of Richford, Jim (Susan) Lacey of Berkshire, Susan (Jim) Lacey Williams of Charlemont, MA, Peg Lacey of Ithaca, Helen Lacey (Glenn Crane) of Sierra Vista, AZ, Randy (Diane Gerhart) Lacey of Freeville. Grandchildren include Andrew (Bonnie), David, and Christopher Carpenter, Daniel (Anita) Lacey, Jennifer (Steve Gougeon) and Amanda Williams, Tina Lacey (Randy Nesbitt), Alex and Levi Crane, Sam (Courtney) and Forrest Lacey, and great grandchildren Brent, Hunter and Logan Carpenter, Ella and Olivia Lacey, and Aidan and Elliot Gougeon. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Jane Goodrich Mearian, Stamford, CT. She treasured her visits and time spent with her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Clarence, son-in-law, Lynn Carpenter, grandchild Abigail Williams and sisters - Marjorie Yaple, Dorothy Brown, Ruth Makarainen and Jean Lacey. The family is appreciative to the staff and caregivers for the warm and loving care that Mary received during her stay at Old Hundred. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy can be made to the Lab of Ornithology. A service of remembrance will be on Saturday, December 18th at 2:00 at the Berkshire Congregational Church, followed by a period of fellowship with the family.