Obituary of Penny A. Van Buren

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Penny A. Van Buren, age 61, a lifelong area resident, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, January 21, 2022, after a valiant battle. Her passing occurred at MVHS, Faxton – St. Luke’s Campus, Town of New Hartford, with her beloved family always at her side. Born on April 5, 1960, in Herkimer, New York, Penny is the daughter of the late Sidney and Shirley (Barringer) LaFountain. She was raised and educated in Richfield Springs and attended Cosmetology School. She was a gifted hairdresser, sharing her talents with the community at Country Cutter, East Lake Road, in Richfield Springs. Penny was a woman of many talents and an extremely hard worker with the utmost dedication to her family. She was very interested in painting and wine tasting! She loved photography and going to parties and just being actively involved with sporting events. One of her favorite things to do was travel, especially on the train with her grandkids, chasing them up and down the isles! Simply put, her smile just lit up the room and her happy go lucky nature was contagious to all of us. She will be dearly missed. On November 4, 1978, Penny was wed to John W. Van Buren, in Ilion and the two have shared in a loving and devoted union of over forty-three years. As a couple, they were childhood sweethearts, a lifetime of love and devotion. She is survived by her husband, John; her children, Tammy Facemire (John), David Van Buren (Rachael) and Mike Van Buren (Becky); 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her world and the loves of her life; her mother-in-law, Doris Strafel; her siblings, Pam Preston (Mark predeceased her), Carol Moore (Tim), Kathy Barrett (Dale), Susan Burdick (Berri Shirley), Steven LaFountain (Kari James) and Michelle Call (Doug); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Penny was predeceased by her parents Sidney and Shirley; brother-in-law, Mark; and her nephew, Jayden LaFountain. Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours for Penny on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 2:00PM – 4:00PM, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Penny’s Funeral Prayer Service will commence on Saturday, at 4:00 PM, at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following, at 5:30 PM, at the VFW, in Richfield Springs. Penny’s family has entrusted her final wishes to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors.