Obituary of Mary L. Tiffin

Sherrill-Mary L. Tiffin, 98 years young, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, surrounded by the love of God and her family. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great-grandmother, warrior and friend. Mary was born January 19, 1926 in Rochester, the daughter of Harold and Helen (Greenwood) Thompson. She married James H. Tiffin on June 28,1947. Their union lasted 46 years until his passing in September 1993. They lived in the Rochester area until 1963 when they moved to Sherrill to raise their family. Mary was involved with the youth of the community as a brownie and girl scout leader. She also worked as a lunch aide at McAllister Elementary School. Mary worked at the Sears Catalog Store in Oneida for 21 years retiring in 1992. After retirement, she went on to volunteer and work part-time at the Ava Dorfman Sr. Center in Rome in the reception office and later as the Events Coordinator planning holiday and other fun events. Mary was a lifelong artist and avid doll collector. Her love of drawing and painting started at a young age. Later in life she took lessons and mastered her craft. She sold her paintings at local craft shows and entered a few of her favorites in summer sidewalk art shows. She was most proud of the blue ribbon she won at the Munson Williams Proctor Art Show. Her work was also displayed annually for a month at the Sherrill Kenwood Library. Mary's doll collection was her pride and joy. She could never pass up a good deal on "just one more". She was also a savvy card player and avid reader. She spent many hours at the library reading, relaxing and buying used books to build her home library. She was a member of the Sherrill Renaissance Club and Sherrill Garden Club, former member of both the Utica Art and Munson Williams Proctor Art Association. She was of the Catholic faith and a communicant of St. Helena's Church. Mary is survived by her six children - Linda (Joel) Johnston, Sue (Paul James) Pulverenti, James (Wendy) Tiffin, Margaret Ramsey, Cathy (Jim) Quinn and Patricia Tiffin; 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; her sister Helen Predmore, brother John Thompson and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Jim and brothers Francis, Tommy and Harold. The family would like to extend their thanks to the 4th floor staff at Oneida Health and 4th floor staff at the Oneida Extended Care Facility for their care and compassion given to our mother during her time there. Mary's family will greet friends on Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home, 464 Sherrill Rd. Sherrill NY. A funeral mass at St. Helena's Church, 210 Primo Ave., Sherrill, NY will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Christopher Ballard, celebrant. Burial will be in St. Helena's cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in mom's memory to the Sherrill Kenwood Free Library, 543 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill NY 13461.