AFTON – Mary Christle Tobey, 99, 158 Afton Lake Road, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 at her home.
Mary was born Aug. 13, 1907 in Norwich, daughter of the late Edward and Catherine Fitzpatrick Christle.
After graduating from Norwich High School in 1925 and Norwich Teacher Training Class in 1926, she taught in the Ives Hill one room school outside Afton for a year before returning to Norwich and working for the W.H. Dunne Co. She married John Tobey on June 21, 1930 in Norwich. In 1932, they moved to Afton where John had been appointed manager of the Briggs Lumber Co. In addition to caring for her family, Mary was an active leader in the community. A founding trustee of the Afton Free Library, she served as the secretary-treasurer for 34 years and was instrumental in establishing the Four-County Library system. She was the branch chairman of the American Red Cross for several years and the Blood Program Chairman of over 16 years. She served as the chairman of both the Girl Scout Troop Committee and the Area Council. A leader in the establishment of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church parish in Afton in the late 1940’s, Mary gave much time and talent to the church for many years. She could be relied upon to help wherever help was needed, whether the Community Chest, the Home Bureau, Boy Scout craft projects or bandage rolling in World War II.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, John Tobey; grandson, Michael Zablocki and a sister, Margaret Christle Lothridge.
She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Alice T. Morell of Oneonta, Irene T. and Ronald Zablocki of Afton and Ann C. Tobey of Aurora; grandchildren, Karen and Theresa Zablocki of Norfolk, Va. and David and wife Susan of Oneonta; great-grandchildren, Mary and Laura Richards of Norfolk, Va. and Andrew, Bradley, Emily Morell of Oneonta; sisters-in-law, Mable Dilworth of Warren, R.I. and Ruth Doing of Norwich along with several nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Afton. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Afton.
Contributions in memory of Mary may be sent to the Afton Emergency Squad or the charity of ones choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.