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Dorene Elwell, 78, from Bergen, New York, formerly of North Tonawanda, died peacefully and went to be with Jesus, on August 11, 2022. Born on July 25, 1944, she is predeceased by her parents William and Hilda Scoville of North Tonawanda, sister Jean Madsen, and brother William.  And is survived by her husband, Robert Elwell, Sr, of 58 years of loving marriage.

Dorene Elwell was a great mother, wife and grandmother, who loved helping others. She always saw the best in people. She worked for many years as a home health aide and retired as a CNA and an activities aide at Leroy Village Green Nursing Home. She loved her family and she loved God. She enjoyed reading and doing puzzles later in life but when she was younger, she loved crafts, including quilting. Her prized possession, besides her faith and her family, was a large quilt that hangs in her house which she made. Dorene always had a beautiful heart to help others but her fire for God and life is what people loved about her. Dorene had a song or tune to sing about everything, which the family will miss greatly about her.

Dorene is survived by her husband, Robert, Sr, her son, Robert, Jr of New Hampshire. Two daughters, Patricia Hall of Batavia, NY and Judith (Martin) Pratt of Wyoming, NY; her two grandchildren; Michaela (Tony) Baudanza of North Chili, NY and Sam Baudanza of Wyoming, NY. Three sisters, Betty Dawley, Shirley (Robert) Manning, and Finetta Musser, and her brother Charles (Sharon) Scoville and many nieces, nephews, and cousins who she loved dearly.

Visiting hours will be Monday, August 15th, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home in Bergen, New York. Funeral services will be held at Brockport Free Methodist Church, Tuesday, August 16th @ 10am, Luncheon to follow. Burial will be at East Bethany Cemetery, East Bethany, NY @ 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations to the Wilmot Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Society, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.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