Obituary of Mary Jane Elsie Vagnoni

Elsie Vagnoni, born Mary Jane Mullarney, died early in the morning on February 8. She was born August 8, 1922 in Malone, NY; the only child of Francis Mullarney and Elsie Daggett Mullarney. She attended the College of Mount St. Vincent before graduating from the College of St. Rose with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She moved to Rockland County then to Greenwich Village, where she worked for Rockland County Mental Health as a social worker and took graduate courses at Columbia University. She returned to Malone after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and worked for the Franklin County Department of Social Services placing children for adoption. She married Bernard Vagnoni who was attending Clarkson College in Malone, NY on the GI Bill. Upon his graduation, they moved to his hometown, Rome, NY, then to Westernville, where they raised six children. Living on the north shore of Lake Delta and in view of Woods Valley, they taught their children to swim and ski. Many an early weekend morning in the winter was spent packing up the family for ski racing, and trying to stay warm at the finish line as she cheered on each racer. Many a pleasant summer day was spent in the back yard on the lake. She returned to work at Rome Catholic Social Services, first as a case worker then as its director. An innovator, she established many progressive programs to serve the needs of her clients, including a group home for adolescent boys. She was instrumental in building Bethany House and senior housing on the mall to improve services to senior citizens in Rome. Her greatest professional satisfaction came from working with her individual clients, especially her young mothers and adoptive families. She is survived by her children, Mary Kay Woodward of Greeley, CO, Bernard (Jim) Vagnoni of Utica, NY, Jane Vagnoni Frumento of Cold Spring, NY, Chris Grenoble of Richmond, Ma, John Vagnoni of Westernville, NY, David Vagnoni of Hebron, Palestine and 7 grandchildren. Mrs. Vagnoni was a 40 year member of the Juniper Twig and spent many hours working in its snack bar. She worked hard for the local Republican Committee and especially enjoyed the Wednesday Morning Club. She was an active member of the Westernville Presbyterian Church. She was a great conversationalist with a dry sense of humor who enjoyed her friends immensely. She loved books and the arts and enjoyed attending the Syracuse Symphony, summer concerts in Boonville, and exhibits at the Rome Art Community Center and the Capital and Stanley Theaters. She was above all a sensitive and caring mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by her family. A memorial service will be held at the Westernville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 2 at 1 pm. Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Oneida and Madison Counties to continue their work in community housing to for the deinstitutionalized, mentally ill populations. Please offer condolences to the family or a tribute to Elsie at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.