Obituary of Phyllis M. Gokey

Oriskany Falls- Phyllis M. Gokey, age 95, a former longtime local resident passed away peacefully Sunday morning March 6, 2022 in the comfort of her daughter's home where her family could be at her side. She was born on March 12, 1926 in Clinton, New York a daughter of the late Robert and Stella (Newman) Mahady and was salutatorian of her graduating class of Vernon High School. Phyllis was a member of Holy Family Church of Vernon before moving to Barneveld to be with the love of her life Rudolph "Buck" Gokey who predeceased her in 2011. She had a great personality and was loved by everyone who met her and loved everyone she met. Her motto in life was "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, WHAT A RIDE'! She is survived by her children, James (Mary), Donna, Diane, Dawn, and Russell (Sue), two sisters, Lucille Decker and June Scoones, many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was predeceased by her two husbands Russell Brown and Rudolph "Buck" Gokey, two sons, Michael and Merwin Brown and seven siblings, Robert, Mary, Charles, Tom, Ann, Francis and Bill. The family will gather privately at the Malecki Funeral Home of Vernon to mourn the loss of their loved one and to celebrate Phyllis's new life. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to__ at the Munnsville American Legion Post 54, 6311 E. Hill Rd., Munnsville, NY. Burial will be in Townsend Cemetery, Stittville, NY. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com