Marion D. Hirschey

BOONVILLE – Marion D. Hirschey, 99, widow of Dr. Wilbur C. Hirschey, a longtime resident of West Street, passed away surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Marion was born on June 26, 1924 in Rome, a daughter of Russell and Margaret Pixley Davis. As a young girl she moved with her family to Boonville, where she completed her education graduating from Boonville Central School with the Class of 1942. She then went on to attend Excelsior Business School in Utica, NY.

On July 13, 1946, Marion was united in marriage with Dr. Wilbur C. Hirschey, DVM, at the home of her parents on Ford Street. The couple settled on West Street, where she has resided since, and where together the couple operated a veterinary clinic out of their home. Dr. Hirschey, an Army Air Corps veteran of WWII, passed away on May 7, 1994.

Marion led a very active life and was devoted to enhancing the lives of her family and her community. As a member of the Boonville United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School and was active in the United Methodist Women's group. She served as a leader of scouting groups for each of her children. She was an avid reader and for a time served on the Erwin Library & Institute Board. As a young woman, she participated in Home Bureau and joined the Salma Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Boonville. She was also an active member of the Genetaska Club of Boonville. Marion loved learning and enjoyed planning family vacations which enriched her children's knowledge of historical events. She enjoyed being a member of the Boonville Historical Club and the General Floyd Chapter of the Daughter of the American Revolution.

Family was very important to Marion and she devoted time to multiple generations; taking care of elderly relatives, caring for and building close relationships with her grandchildren, and was delighted to spend time with her great-grandchildren.

In retirement, Doc and Marion took several trips to Europe and Hawaii and spent winters in Sarasota, Florida, where they especially enjoyed attending lectures at the Van Wezel Institute. They also loved spending time with family and friends at their camp at North Lake.

Later in life she attended weeklong summer sessions at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY.

Marion is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kay (Tim) Skjellerup, Boonville, and Barbara (Dr. Robert) Kotz, Syracuse. She was predeceased by her son, Russell J., on August 12, 2018. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Andrea Hirschey, Kayuta Lake; five grandchildren, Timothy (Alicia), Gabriel, and Tyler (Megan) Skjellerup, and Jonathan(Kim) and Michele Hirschey, and seven great-grandchildren, Timothy and Lucas Skjellerup, Braden Regetz. Katherine Beyel, Gage Skjellerup, Cooper and Carter Hirschey. A sister, Ella Marguerite Davis, died in infancy.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Boonville Global Methodist Church, 202 Main Street, Boonville, with Rev. Jack Ford, officiating. Interment in the spring will be in Boonville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boonville Global Methodist Church, 105 Ann Street, Boonville, NY 13309 or to the Erwin Library & Institute, 104 Schuyler St., Boonville.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, where online condolences may be shared at www.trainorfuneralhome.com.