NORWICH – Miss Laura L. Wedge, 89, of Norwich, passed away Monday, July 21, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich.
Born May 12, 1919 in South Lebanon, she was a daughter of Arthur E. and Eveline Merrifield Wedge. Laura was a graduate of Earlville High School in 1936, received her AB degree cum laude from Elmira College in 1940, and her BLS in Library Science from SUNY Geneseo in 1941. Continuing her education, she received her MLS in Library Science from Syracuse University in 1960, and attended SUNY Albany and Cortland for further study.
Laura was a teacher and/or school librarian in East Bloomfield, Peru (NY), Bolivar and Herkimer early in her career. She also did summer work in the School Library Bureau in Albany. Moving to Norwich in 1958, she became the Head Librarian for Norwich Central School and retired in 1977 as the Director of Library Media Services. Her position also included the Guernsey Memorial Library from 1958 to 1964, where she was instrumental in laying the groundwork and early planning for the present library facility. She was also involved in the beginning organization of the Four County Library System.
Laura was a lifetime member of the Lebanon Federated Church. She had also attended the First Baptist Church in Norwich. Professionally, Laura was a member of the New York Library Association where she served on the Board as President from 1969-70, as Treasurer and on numerous committees of the School Library Media Section. She had also been a member and held several offices for the Central New York School Librarians and the Central Valleys School Librarians. She was a member of the NYS Educational Communications Assoc., the National Education Assoc., NYS Retired Teachers Assoc., Norwich and Chenango Retired Teachers groups; Pi Gamma Mu (Social Studies) Beta Phi Mu (Library) and was a life member of the PTA. She was named to the 1970-71 edition of Who’s Who of American Women, With World Notables.
Active in her community, she was a member of the Zonta Club of Norwich; Business and Professional Women’s Assoc.; and the American Assoc. of University Women. She also did volunteer work for numerous organizations with a special concentration on Literacy Volunteers, tutoring both reading and English as a second language for eight years. Laura also enjoyed traveling, and spending time in her gardens enjoying her flowers.
Surviving are several cousins, including Susan Davidson of Sherburne; Maureen Tackabury of Earlville; Esther Northrop of Binghamton; Robert Eisenberg of Canandaigua; Duane Hazard of Syracuse, Marjorie Steel of CA and Barbara Gail of VA; and special friends Elizabeth Lamphere of Norwich, Eloise Hudson of Fairport, and James Williams of Norwich.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, July 28, from the Lebanon Federated Church, 1494 Billings Hill Rd., Earlville, NY, followed by interment in the Hillside Cemetery, Georgetown.
Friends are invited to call at the church on Monday from 11 a.m. until Noon prior to the service.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Lebanon Federated Church, or to the First Baptist Church, 10 W. Park Place, Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville, NY.