Bombay – Mrs. Nellie L. Foley, 81, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 14, 2014 at her home with her loving family by her side. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop.
Nellie was born on October 7, 1933 in Brasher Iron Works, daughter of the late Joseph and Henrietta (Wilson) Reedle. On June 21, 1952, she was united in marriage to Philip C. Foley at the Brasher Falls United Methodist Church and then had the marriage blessed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brasher Falls on February 24, 1953. Together they have shared a 62 year union filled with love and companionship.
She worked at the Warner Bros. Factory in Massena then started driving school bus at Salmon River Central School and working part time as a rural mail carrier. Nellie then took the full time position as the rural letter carrier for the Bombay Post Office until her retirement.
Nellie took pride in everything she did: whether it is her gardens, flowers, work ethic, or her house that she made a home. Family was important to her; spending time with her grandchildren, planning family get-togethers or finding her roots doing genealogy research. Her lovely soul always found the good in people. Her love of people led her to join the Tuesday Night Bowling League in Moira which lead to lifetime friendships and while spending winters in Florida, belonging to the Red Hatters Club and participating in park activities including bike rides around the park. In the summers, she would relax at their camp in St. Regis Falls with the kids creating memories to last a lifetime. She practiced her catholic faith at St. Joseph's Church in Bombay and was a past member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Nellie was a concerned neighbor, who cultivated lifetime friendships and prompted promotion of her community as a founding member of the Bombay Historical Society. She had the amazing strength to battle her cancer, accepting the trials and tribulations of the disease.
Nellie leaves behind her husband, Philip; her children, Terry and Debbie Foley of Bethlehem, GA, Randy and Joanne Foley of North Lawrence, Cheryl Foley of Mooers, Larry and Tina Foley of North Lawrence, and Charlene and Gerald Deno of Canton; one sister, Margaret Wilson of DesMoines, WA; ten grandchildren, Patrick Foley, Carri Dickenson, Amanda Foley, Jacob Foley, Philip Devon Foley, Mackenzie Deno, Meredith Foley, Camryn Foley, Tyler Foley and Kyle Foley; six great grandchildren, Mike Foley, Anya Foley, Jonathan Russell, Terry Russell, Brandon Russell and Alaina Foley. Always close to her heart was the memory of her son, Steven who died in October 1999 and a sister, Rosemary Wilson who died in 1926.
Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 8 pm at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Nellie's Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will commence Friday at 11 am at St. Joseph Church in Bombay. Burial in St. Lawrence Cemetery in North Lawrence will be held in the spring.
Her family expresses their sincere thanks to Hospice of the North Country for their support in providing the care, health and hope during Nellie's battle.
Those wishing to express an act of kindness, please consider donations in Nellie's memory to Hospice of the North Country, the Bombay Historical Society or the Bombay Fire Department.
Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.hammillfh.com.