Obituary of Mary L. Learn

Mary L. Learn passed away on December 1, 2013 in her home in Bath, New York. Born in Bath, NY on November 26, 1943 to Leo D. Jones Sr., and Nancy (Card) Jones, she will be greatly missed. Mary was a devoted and loving mother, wife and friend. Mary enjoyed a very full and rich life. She started her career at Corning Glass Works in the 1960’s, working in various secretarial positions. However, she spent over 30 years working for Steuben County, primarily in their Personnel Department where she later retired. For over 40 years, Mary helped manage the Steuben Agricultural Society, serving as Assistant Secretary, President, Treasurer, and Secretary (acting manager) of the Steuben County Fair. Mary was the first woman to both serve on the Board of Directors of the Society, and act as Secretary of the Fair. She was dedicated to improving the Steuben County Fair. Mary was instrumental in expanding the horticulture exhibits, introducing the antique automobile museum and draft horse show as well as the building of several new structures on the fairgrounds to house these exhibits. Her vision for the Steuben County Fair has left an indelible mark, and will be enjoyed by generations to come. She was also a charter member of the Twin Tier Poultry Club, and served as Secretary/Treasurer. Additionally, Mary had a love of gardening and enjoyed membership with the Southern Tier Gladiolus Society, the Southern Tier Dahlia Society, and the Southern Tier Rose Society. Her expertise in growing these beautiful flowers lead her to become a Senior Dahlia Judge and a Gladiolus Judge. She is survived by: her husband Kenneth L. Learn, her daughters Rebecca Brown of Camp Hill, PA, and Julie Walenta of Bath, NY, step-son and his wife Terry and Tina Learn of Bath, NY, step-daughter Marcia Drake of Hammondsport, NY, her brothers and their wives Robert and Nancy Jones (Bath), Richard and Virginia Jones (Bath), and Douglas and Maria Jones (Florida), granddaughters Natalie and Ella Brown of Camp Hill, PA, step-grandson Lawrence Learn of Hammondsport, step-granddaughters Veronica Smith (and her husband Stephen) of California, Jessica Learn (Bath), Corinne Drake (Corning, NY), Charlene Drake (stationed with the Navy in Virginia), and Amber and Abby Snyder of Bath, and her step-great-granddaughters Kylee Learn, Kiara Auston of Bath and Maggie Mae Smith of CA of Bath as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her brother Leo D. Jones, Jr., and her nephew David B. Jones. Memorial Services will be held on Friday December 6, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Bath, with a luncheon at the church to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Steuben County Agricultural Society, c/o Nick Pelham, 6075 County Route 11, Bath, NY 14810.