Nellie Mae DeMarsh

INDIAN LAKE Nellie Mae (Lanphear) DeMarsh, born Nov. 16, 1914, a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the "Matriarch" of the DeMarsh/Lanphear family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, passed into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday morning, Dec. 4, 2007, at Adirondack Tri County Nursing Home in North Creek, N.Y. She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon Edward DeMarsh (1908-1981); parents, Melvin Lanphear (1877-1945) and Elizabeth (Hutchins) Lanphear McCane (1892-1974); Elizabeth's second husband, William "Uncle Bill" McCane (1890-1970); brothers, Arvin Lanphear (died in infancy), Milton Arnold Lanphear (1912-1942) and Wilbur Hollis Lanphear (1916-1970) and Wilbur's wife; and Nellie's dearest lifelong friend, Myrtle (Burgess) Lanphear Reilly (1916-1996). She is survived by her seven children: daughters, Shelah (Lynn) King, Barbara (Gerry) Badum, Myrna DeMarsh Smith, Janet (Gale) Clawson, all of Indian Lake; sons: Lloyd (Louisa) DeMarsh of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Gordon (Lois) DeMarsh of Inverness, Fla., and Arnold (Mary) DeMarsh of Newark, N.Y.; 25 devoted grandchildren: Wayne, Valarie, Sharon, Nelson, Missy, Patty, Charlie, Susan, Steve, Lloyd Jr., Katryna, Lonnie, Howard, Darryll, Rhonda, Laurie, Connie, Gordie, Jeff, Julie, Robyn, Wesley Jr., Darcie, Jenny and Timmy; 22 loving great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several very close nephews and nieces, especially her brother Wilbur's three children: Vaun, Vicky and Van Lanphear, who spent countless hours helping Nellie; and another lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Frances King (Richard) DeMarsh. Nellie lived in and near Indian Lake all her life, graduating from Indian Lake Central School on June 27, 1932. She was a proud "Big Brooker." When able, she worked faithfully for her church, The United Methodist Church of Indian Lake. She was remembered for her delicious church suppers, and was especially remembered for her famous baked beans. There was always an extra plate for a scrumptious meal at her table in Big Brook, for anyone lucky enough to "drop in" at the right time. Everyone can still taste her homemade breads, rolls, biscuits dripping with her homemade butter and especially her "hearty, homemade-vegetable soup." She had many loyal friends and neighbors who will miss her kind and loving smile, the "smile" that was always there for all the neighborhood kids: Aunt Frant's kids, the Moulton kids, the Aldous kids, the Chatterton kids, the King kids, the Blanchard kids, the Durking kids, the Austin kids, etc., etc. Calling hours will be observed today, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Miller Funeral Home, 35 West Main St., Indian Lake. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the United Methodist Church of Indian Lake with the Rev. Elizabeth J. Stewart, pastor, presiding. Burial will be in Cedar River Cemetery, Indian Lake. Pallbearers will be Wayne King, Gordon Smith, Wesley Arsenault Jr., Timothy DeMarsh, Howard DeMarsh and Darryll DeMarsh. Contributions in Nellie's memory may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Indian lake, Main Street, Indian Lake, NY 12842 or to the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home, Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY 12853. Very special thanks must be given to the staff at the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home in North Creek, N.Y., for the love and devotion given to our "mom" for the past four years. She adored each and every one at the Home. In our family's eyes and hearts, "ALL OF YOU ARE, AND WILL ALWAYS BE, SAINTS."