Obituary of Verna M. Gydesen

ILION – Verna M. Gydesen, age 88, formerly of Ilion, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer with her loving daughter, Janet, by her side. She was born on September 19, 1933 to John and Lois (Petrie) Harter. She graduated from Herkimer High School. At one time, Verna was married to Richard James “Jim” Gydesen and they had 2 children together. She later found happiness with her companion, Harold “Herk” Cunningham who passed on October 1, 2000. She adored the Cunningham family and they adored her. Verna was an assembler at General Electric Co., Utica and later worked at Hamilton Digital Controls, Utica, retiring in 1994. She was a member of the Church of the Annunciation. Verna was an artistic woman with a great sense of style and had a great sense of humor. She had a smile that could light up a room. She enjoyed poetry. Verna was “A Beautiful Woman and a Caring Soul”! Surviving family members include her daughter, Janet Cerasi and her husband, Marco, of Ilion; her 4 granddaughters, Lindsay Kaczor and her husband, Michael, Jamie, Brittany and Dani Cerasi; her sister, Linda LaMarche and her husband, Andrew, of Plattsburg; her sister-in-law, Nella Harter, of Ilion; her many nieces, nephews, cousins; and special friends, Kay Mazzara, Jean Warner and the Cunningham family. She was predeceased by her beloved son, James R. Gydesen, the light of her life; her parents, John and Lois; several brothers, William, Frank, John and infant, Brian Harter; and several sisters, “Billie”, Dorothy, Mary and Sherry. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea family Funeral Home’s larger facility location, at 4309 Acme Rd. (old Main St.), between Ilion and Frankfort. Anyone planning on attending the visitation are asked to wear a mask, to protect the immediate family and others. Thank you for your understanding. Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the Blessed Sacrament Church, E. Main St., Mohawk, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Cunningham, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Little Falls. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Verna, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Verna’s service arrangements and supervision are entrusted to her Funeral Directors, Don Applegate and Kevin Enea, of Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Homes, of Ilion (315-895-7722).