PLYMOUTH – Elaine C. Fletcher, 58, of Plymouth, passed away early Tuesday morning, Feb. 22, 2011, at her home, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
The daughter of Ernest and Eva Schwarz Nietzel, Elaine was born in Callicoon, late in March of 1952. She attended the Delaware Valley schools and was in her early 20s when she moved to Chenango County, settling in the Norwich, North Norwich and Preston area. Her first employment in this area was with the Norwich and Sidney Pennysaver. She later worked for a time for Ames Department Store in Norwich, then returned in 1993 to the Pennysaver, working as a floor leader at Sun Printing. Elaine loved to travel, especially trips to the Great Smokey Mountains. She had a collection of wind chimes and Volkswagen miniature Beatle cars. A fun-loving and independent lady with a bit of a stubborn streak, she was a lover of animals and doted on her grandkids.
Elaine is survived by her children: Carrie Fletcher and companion Aaron of Smyrna, Wanda Dutcher of Norwich, Todd Dutcher and fiance Gary McRorie of Plymouth; a long-time family friend, Eric Moore of North Norwich; and her grandchildren: Brandon Rifanburg of Smyrna, and Dylan Utter, Tiffany Utter, and Dawn Dutcher, all of Norwich. Also surviving are her sisters and brothers: Eleanor Hoffmann of Henkins, Elizabeth Mott and husband Robert of Summitville, Earle Nietzel and wife Ellen of Rock Hill, Edward Nietzel and wife Linda of White Sulphur Springs, Ernest Nietzel of Woodburn; and her aunt Eleanor Claar, plus nieces and nephews. Elaine was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Eva, her brother, Eugene Nietzel, and her niece, Dawn Froelich.
Funeral services for Elaine will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Interment will be in the North Norwich Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Saturday from 4-6 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.