Obituary of Mary H. Morse

Mary Harendorf Morse, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on February 21, 2023, due to the progressive degenerative effects of dementia, surrounded by her loving family. Born October 14, 1936 to Charles and Helen (Timmerman) Harendorf, Mary was a lifelong resident of Virgil and a 1953 graduate of Virgil School where she was proud to have been valedictorian of her graduating class. In 1950, while attending a basketball game at Virgil School, she met her future husband. The love of her life, Robert Morse, had traveled from Union Valley to attend the same game. As Robert often recounted, he looked up in the stands, saw Mary, and announced to his friend that she was the girl he was going to marry. And he did just that in 1954. Mary retired from Corey Union Auxiliary Services of SUNY Cortland after more than 20 years of service. She always enjoyed riding on the back of Robert’s motorcycle, going for snowmobile rides, playing cards, and getting together with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with a sly wit and a warm heart. She is much loved and will be greatly missed. Mary is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband of nearly 69 years, Robert, and their children, David (Annette), Jeffrey (Terry), Scott (Denise), Cathleen (William) Fair, and Melissa (late Donald) White; grandchildren Jared Morse, Nathan Morse, Ahren Morse, Brandon Morse, Jeremy Carlton, Alan Carlton, Cassandra (Carlton) Haskell, Lily Carlton, and Nicholas White; eight great-grandchildren with another on the way; sisters Elizabeth (Robert) Bialeszewski, Judy (late James) Clark, and Wendy (Sam) Kryger; aunt Donna (late Phil) Timmerman; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family gives a special thank you to the staff at Hospicare for their kindness and support. At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral. Mary’s final resting place will be at Virgil Rural Cemetery with a private graveside service at a later date. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/ or Hospicare and Palliative Care Services, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 in Mary’s name. “Watch for the deer eyes.” We will, mom. We love you.