Peru – Ethel Dashnaw Stewart, 94, of 6 Holden Avenue, Peru, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the UVM Health Network, CVPH, Plattsburgh.
She was born in Peru, on September 15, 1921, the daughter of Albert and Emma (Soulia) Dashnaw.
Ethel began formal education in a one-room school house, District #3, on Route 22-B, where there were typically 22-27 students in eight grades. After passing the New York State Regents in all subjects, she transferred to Peru High School. She enrolled in typing and shorthand classes and knew immediately that she wanted to become a private secretary. After she graduated in 1937 as Class Valedictorian at age 15, she went to Albany Business College for a private secretarial course and a court reporter course.
While still in high school Ethel worked in the Principal’s office during her free periods and before and after school. At the end of her sophomore year, she began to work at Burrell Orchards in Peru during the summers. In the Fall of 1939, she went to Ithaca and obtained a position as a secretary to the Head of the Department at Cornell University. Eventually she ended up back in Peru. In 1949 the position of secretary of the school became available, she applied and was hired. Thirty-five years later she retired.
During her 35 years at the school she saw many changes, was involved in five building projects, was school District Clerk and watched the school population grow from 650 students in 1949 to 4,400 students in the 60’s and 70’s, largely due to the arrival of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base. There were half day sessions and every available space in Town was utilized for classrooms.
Travel was always on Ethel’s mind. First she went to California for 2 ½ years, until her son retired from the US Navy. They came back to Peru in 1986. After they enrolled his children in school she began traveling. She took a trip to Ireland, then 11 countries in Europe, Israel, and several Canadian Provinces.
In addition to travel, she volunteered at CVPH for 10 years. She was elected to the Peru Town Board for three four year terms. She was instrumental in the acquisition of the land of Lapham Mills Road which is now the Town Recreation Center. She also served on the Apple Valley Senior Housing Board for six years and on the County ICEO board for six years.
Ethel was a trustee at St. Augustine’s when the new Church was built and co-chaired the fund drive. She was a lector for 25 years, worked the concession stand for Bingo for many years and did the books for the bingo fund. Ethel was also involved with the Peru Tree Lighting Ceremonies for 10 years.
In 1998 Ethel was honored as the “Town of Peru Citizen of the Year.” She was inducted into the Peru Central School “Wall of Fame” in 2004. Ethel enjoyed playing Bridge to keep her mind active as well as attending school programs in which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved in.
Survivors include her son, Gerald “Jerry” Stewart, Jr. of Peru; daughters, Ann Marie Alpert of Tyler, TX, and Karen White of Plattsburgh; grandchildren, James Stewart and Evan White; and great grandchildren, Ava White and Philip Covel.
In addition to her parents, Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Gerald, Sr.; granddaughter, Susan Caron; brother, Roger Dashnaw; and her sister, Doris Penn.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 20, 2016, at 10 AM, at St. Augustine’s Church, Peru, with the Rev. Alan D. Shnob, Parish Priest, celebrating, with Rev. William G. Reamer, as concelebrant. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Ethel may be made to St. Augustine’s Church or the Peru Rescue Squad.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.
