GUILFORD – Vida B. Schlafer, 82, of Guilford, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, Feb. 24, 2010 at her home. 
Vida was born on Oct. 9, 1927, daughter of the late Harry Ellwood and Lucy (Churchill) Gamwell in Haddonfield, N.J. Vida grew up in New Jersey until moving to Guilford to be near her dear sister, Millie. Through Millie and her husband Don Schlafer, Vida met the love of her life, Pershing Schlafer. Pershing and Vida were married on Nov. 27, 1948 in the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church, where both Vida and Pershing were faithful, longtime members.
Counted among the most important things in Vida’s life were her faith, and her family. Vida was a wonderful and dedicated wife and mother who truly loved her family. She and Pershing lived a farming life. While Perk was busy running the dairy farm enterprise, Vida was busy mending and washing clothes, preparing meals, taking Kool-aid and cookies to the hay field and lending a hand with farm chores. She was an excellent cook. One of her favorite treats was her famous “3-hole chocolate cake.” Vida was fondly referred to as “Auntie” by her many nieces and nephews who were very dear to her.     
Vida is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Pershing Schlafer of Guilford; a brother-in-law, Donald Schlafer of Ithaca; a son and daughter-in-law: Daniel and Jean Schlafer of Guilford; two daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and Theodore Call of Valatie and Susan and George Smith of Sidney; seven grandchildren: Karen and Todd Williams (Waverly), Julie Schlafer (Phoenix), Lisa and Oliver Briscoe (Chester, England), Melissa Call (Valatie), Thomas Call (Valatie), Christianna Bonin (Düsseldorf, Germany), and Zachary Smith (Sidney); three great-grandchildren:  Oscar, Sophie and Finn Williams, all of Waverly; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Vida was predeceased by her sister, Mildred Schlafer, with whom she was very close, sisters-in-law Helen Race and Wilma Abeel and brother-in-law Kenneth E. Kenyon, Sr.
Friends called on Saturday, Feb. 27 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel 21 Main St. Sidney.  Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the funeral chapel with Commissioned Lay Pastor Doris White officiating.  Burial will take place in the spring at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney. 
Memorial contributions in Vida’s name may be directed to the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church, PO Box 56, Guilford, NY 13780.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com.
 Arrangements under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.