NORWICH – Edna M. Jaquay, 93, life long Preston and Norwich resident, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2009 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital of Norwich.
The daughter of Leon and Lucy Mae (Burgess) Franklin, Edna was born in Preston in January of 1916. She grew up in Preston, where she attended the local school and on Nov. 27, 1948 in Reno, Nevada, she married Ernest Jaquay, who passed away on Jan. 20, 1974. Following their marriage, Edna and her husband owned and operated Jake’s Sinclair Service Station on South Broad Street where McDonald’s now stands. Over the years she worked with her husband in the operation of the business and made their home over the service station. In 1970, they moved across the street where she continued to make her home until she was into her 80s. Edna took pride in her home and could often be seen mowing her lawn or working in her flower gardens. Following the death of her husband, she worked for a short period of time for NBT. She enjoyed playing cards, fishing, dancing, going for a Sunday ride and especially enjoyed any family gathering.
Edna is survived by her sister Christina Franklin of Norwich and two sisters-in law, Frances Franklin and Janet Franklin. Also surviving are special nieces Lana Byrne, Lee Byrne, Valerie (Franklin) Bates, Janet Byrne, Betty (Del) Law, Colleen (Mike) Law-Tefft, Marni (Kip) Manwarren, Marleen (Karl) Cortez and nephew Brian (Kathy) Law. Edna is also survived by a special friend who she thought of as a daughter, Gloria Gibbon. Many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and great great great nieces and nephews.
Edna was predeceased by her first husband, Earl (Doc) Curtis, who she married on July 15, 1933; her second husband, Ernest (Jake) Jaquay; her sisters Mildred “Millie” Law, Louise Murphy and Viola Franklin; her brothers Elbridge (Shorty), LeRoy, Clayton (Whistle), Matthew, Richard, Cecil, Ray and Olin Franklin and her long time companion Francis (Pete) Bosworth.
Funeral services for Edna will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment will be in the J.D. Lewis cemetery of Preston at 10 a.m. on May 22.
Friends may call at the R.J. Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 6 p.m.