Obituary of Ada Hall

Ada Hall, age 99, passed away peacefully at Good Shepherd Village in Endwell on January 28, 2012. She was born September 5, 1912 to Frank and Sarah Dorsey in Montour Falls, NY and graduated high school from Cook Academy. She was a resident of Montour Falls until August 2008 when she moved to Woodland Manor Assisted Living in Vestal, NY. After a brief illness in July 2010, she was moved to Good Shepherd Village skilled nursing facility in Endwell, NY. She was the widow of PFC Gordon Tillis, who was killed in action in Germany in December 1944 during WWII. In 1967, she married her second husband, George Hall, a WWII veteran, local jeweler and watchmaker who predeceased her in 1989. Ada was employed for 30 years as the Medical Records Librarian at Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls and then as sales clerk and bookkeeper at Hall's Jewelry. Ada had great pride in her town of Montour Falls. She acted, unofficially, as "ambassador" for the town and the Falls. She also was a self-appointed "information center", passing out brochures at the Falls, or in her front yard, to the many tourists from all over the world. The town mayor received more than one letter from visitors commending Ada for her "warm welcome" to Montour Falls! Ada walked "down town" at least twice a day as long as she was physically able, visiting with friends and employees at the pharmacy, bank and post office and sharing with both locals and out-of-towners her sense of humor, positive and witty personality and pride in her town. Ada will be remembered by her sons' generation as an involved and active parent; acting as a Cub Scout den mother, providing a ride to or from a school event and always making her home a "home away from home" for all her sons' friends and acquaintances. She will be remembered by her peers as a sincere friend, as well as being active in the American Legion Auxiliary, widows' lunch group, being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas time, going to the Veteran's Hospital to help the vets pick out and wrap Christmas gifts for their families and for her many "Ventures" bus trips. Ada was also a member of the Montour Falls United Methodist Church. In earlier years, she enjoyed cooking and crocheting or knitting; especially sweaters, hats, mittens, etc. for her two sons, and later adding skirts, poncho sets and doll clothes for her six granddaughters. In later years, she became a "photo bug" and appreciated flowers, birds, clouds, her smoke tree and visits with Falls' tourists, all from her front porch rocker. Ada is survived by two loving sons: Rollin (Pat) Tillis, Philadelphia, PA and Stewart (Marion) Tillis, Vestal, NY. She is also survived by six granddaughters and their husbands: Coleen (Jerry) Zabinski, Lori (Ron) Spicer, Kim (Bob) Santoni, Kelly (David) Schecter, Maria (Eric) Connor, and Kristy (Marty) Eckenrode as well as thirteen great-grandchildren. Ada will be greatly missed, as she was truly ONE OF A KIND! The family will receive friends at Vedder and Scott, Inc. Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee Street, Montour Falls, NY on Saturday, February 4 from 1 PM until time of the funeral service at 2 PM. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. To share a memory, "Light a Candle" or send the family a condolence, please visit www.vedderandscottfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ada's memory to Montour Falls Methodist Church, 124 Owego Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; The Schuyler County Historical Society, PO Box 651, Montour Falls, NY 14865 or the charity of one's choice.