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Barbara A. Tooley, age 86, of Batavia, passed away peacefully Monday, July 25,2022.

    

Her gentle, soft spoken, big hearted soul was born in Batavia to the late Kenneth and Alida (Needham) Smart of East Pembroke, where she resided all through her school years. Barbara went on graduating from Corfu High School, class of 1954. Several years later working as a Secretary until retirement for the former L. J. Groths & Sons.

     After retirement, she enjoyed spending her time shopping, crafting, quilting/sewing and having lunch with her friends, ("the girls"). Most of all, her biggest pride and joy was her family, which she loved very much.

     She leaves behind many saddened and broken hearts. Her Brother, Robert (Cathy) Smart of Corfu and sister, Vera (Robert) Newton of East Pembroke; Five children: Timothy Tooley of Medina, Jeffery Tooley of Texas, Jonathan (Charlene) Tooley of East Bethany, Ruth (Randy) Carter of Georgia, and David (Celena) Tooley of West Virginia. Nineteen Grandchildren, Twenty Four Great-Grandchildren and many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

     Family and Friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 4 ~7 PM at Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy. There will be a short church service, Tuesday, August 2,2022, 11:00 AM at The City Church, 210 E. Main St., Batavia; directly followed by her final resting place at Hillside Cemetery, East Pembroke.

     Contributions in memory of Barbara are suggested to either St. Jude Children's Hospital or to an animal shelter organization of the donor's choice.

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Barbara's family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Ethyl I. Sojda, age 84, of Creek Rd, Batavia, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2022. Ethyl was born in Batavia as the only daughter of the late Vincent N. and Ruth M. Kirch. She was a life-long resident of Alexander, NY.

After graduating from Alexander Central School, she held various jobs until she married her late husband, John F. Sojda, Jr. in 1961 and raised three children. As a dedicated mother she could be seen braving any weather to watch her children’s sporting events. She returned to work in 1977 and held a number of positions with local companies over the following thirty years. In her last role she was a Loose Ends hostess managing the GCC cafeteria where many folks came to enjoy her kind and pleasant personality and her dedicated work ethic.

Though a long-time crocheter, later in life she became a serious quilter and active in the Batavia Museum Quilt Guild. She produced a number of quilts for family and friends that are still enjoyed daily.

For a number of years, she was also a volunteer with All Babies Cherished. It was not uncommon to see her with her knitting material creating baby hats for the regional hospital system. For many years she was an assistant to John Sojda, Jr. in his role as Alexander Town Justice. Part of her charm and grace was how resiliently and quietly she met life’s challenges—both her own and those of others who knew her.

Ethyl is survived by her sons John and Steve (Barb), her daughter Ann, five grandchildren; Lily Whisman, Jacob (Paige), Stephanie (Patrick) Guarino, Michelle (Andrew) James , and Angela (Martin) Pohl, great-grandchildren; Ezekiel Guarino, Emily and Eli James, Alex, and Maria Pohl. She was preceded by her brother Merlin Kirch and has 4 surviving brothers (Ralph, Arnold, Harold, and Myron), and many nieces and nephews.

Mass at St. Mary's in Batavia at 9:30am Saturday June 25th followed by a graveside service at West Bethany Cemetery. Lunch to follow at her home at

9926 Creek Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Rescue Squad PO Box 336 Alexander, NY 14005 or Homecare & Hospice 29 Liberty St. Suite 6 Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011