CARTHAGE, NY — Rochelle Waite, 80, passed away Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, at her home, under the loving care of her family and Jefferson County Hospice.
Born Aug. 16, 1939, to Vernon and Anna (Gaines) Harper, she graduated from Carthage High School in 1957.
Rochelle worked as a telephone operator until her marriage to George Waite on November 9, 1957. Rochelle and George made their home in Champion New York, where she was active in the Champion Fire Dept. Auxiliary and served on the Jefferson County Board of Elections for years. In 1992, Rochelle was selected as Carthage Citizen of the Year for her work in starting an area AIDs support group.
The accomplishment Rochelle was most proud of was her family. During family gatherings she was often heard saying to George – “you started all of this.“ She loved visits by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as their friends who fondly called her “Granny” – and they all knew Saturday night was pizza night.
She is survived by her husband, George. Four children, Gayle (Calvin) Reilly, South Dakota, Colleen (Jeff) Duncan, Lowville, Steve (Amie Ferris) Waite, Champion and Robert (Debra) Waite, Florida. Grandchildren, Ron (Stacey) Porter, Eric (Natalie) Porter, Bryan (Jessica) Porter, Ken Reilly, Charles Reilly, Elizabeth (Jason) Dallenbach, Christina, (Rey) Delapaz, Kelli (Joe) Lawrence, Abbi, (Aaron) Myers, Lucas (Ashley) Waite, Andrew (Jessica) Waite, Rachael (Brett) Golas, Julie (Wyatt) Carpenter and Diana Snyder. Twenty-nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Siblings, Robert (Judy) Harper, Carol (David) Stoodley, David (Brenda) Harper, Diana (George) Ashcraft and Laureen (William) Duprey, several brother and sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Vernon and Anna Harper, a son in infancy, Hugh and her brother Charles Harper.
Calling hours will be held 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. A funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 p.m. with Father Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be held in the spring at St. James Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County at 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Rochelle’s family would like to extend their deepest thanks to them for their amazing care. They would also like to thank all the family & friends that have stopped over the last few days to share time and memories.
Condolences may be made online at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.