CORNING – Agnes “Aggie” Annette Tyler, born on Sept. 11, 1942 in Nashua, New Hampshire, died peacefully and gratefully in her sleep at the age of 69, at her home on Townsend Avenue in Corning, New York, on Dec. 18, 2011 at 4:17 a.m., following a courageous battle with lung cancer, with her devoted brother, Charlie, at her side.
Aggie was predeceased by her lifelong companion, Donald Blackwell, her beloved sister Mary, and her parents Leonard A. Tyler and Pauline C. Tyler. She is survived by brothers Charles Edward Tyler of Glen Rock, New Jersey (and his wife, Marcy) and Leonard Tyler Jr. of New Berlin, New York (and his wife Jean); and sister, Carol Hinrich of San Jose, California (and her husband, Gary). She also leaves behind her nephew, Patrick Flores, son of sister, Mary (and his wife, Martha) of Dundee, New York, and their children, six great nieces and nephews. Her niece, Melanie Travis, daughter of sister Mary, survives her, as well, and resides in Norwich, New York, along with three more great nieces and nephews. Her devoted companion of the last several years, Alfred Baccile, resides in Horseheads, New York. Last but not least, she leaves behind her best friend and cat, Velvet Olivia, settled in her new home, loved and well cared for, as Agnes would have wished.
Raised in Norwich, Aggie attended South New Berlin Central School in South New Berlin. Throughout her High School years, she was Class Treasurer, member of The National Honor Society, and member of the Senior Band where she played the French Horn. Her mother enjoyed telling people that the only reason Agnes was in the band was because they needed someone to fill out the ranks. She was also a member of the NYS Historical Society, “The Yorkers,” and graduated from High School with high honors in 1960.
In September of 1960, Agnes enrolled in The University of Buffalo School of Nursing. Always believing “girls just want to have fun,” she did just that! In 1962, she left U of B and in the Fall, enrolled in The Corning Community College, School of Nursing, graduating in 1964 with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.
The day after graduation, she began her nursing career at Corning Hospital. While there, she worked as Staff Nurse on a Surgical Unit, as well as Intensive Care and Pediatrics. Later on, she was Evening and Night Supervisor, and prior to retiring, was Assistant Director of Nursing, as well as Staffing Coordinator. Throughout her days at Corning Hospital, Agnes was beset with one grave illness after another, beginning with her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 1975, leading to her eventual and premature retirement in August of 1977.
Agnes had many friends but was essentially a private person who loved to read and enjoy her computer, and inevitably became an avid Home and Garden fan. She was also a member of Elks Lodge 1071.
Agnes will be remembered for so many things, but mostly for her generosity, wonderful sense of humor, and positive attitude, always seeing only the “full half of the glass.” She was fond of saying “when you stop laughing, you stop living.”
It was both their wishes that Agnes should be laid to rest beside her beloved Donny in Chapel Knoll Cemetery. It is the wish of her Family that there will be no calling hours. In the Spring of 2012, the date for which has yet to be determined and announced, there will be the final internment and a graveside ceremony.
The Family wishes to express their immense gratitude to her loving friends, Pam and Joanie, as well as Southern Tier Hospice, for their loving care of our sister, and requests that condolences be expressed by way of donations to that same S.T. Hospice, The American Cancer Society, or a charity of one’s choice.