Obituary of Shirley Ann Seney

Shirley Ann Wescott Seney, 83, former Mayor of the Village of Lake Placid and Supervisor of the town of North Elba, passed away at her home with her loving family by her side on September 09, 2015. Shirley was born February 11, 1932, the daughter of Alta Taylor Wescott and Guy Wescott Sr. at their home on Cascade Road. Shirley often told the story that the doctor was late due to Opening Day ceremonies for the Winter Olympics. In her junior year, the Wescott family moved to Spruce Lodge on Sentinel Road and she and her siblings helped her parents run the rooming house, making beds and cleaning rooms. Shirley said her work ethic came from her parents and she freely gave her time wherever she could because of her endearing love for her community. Shirley graduated from Lake Placid High in 1950 and began working at the Bank of Lake Placid. Shirley married Norris Earl "Bucky" Seney on May 21, 1955 and they settled into their home on Station Street raising three children. Shirley took a part time secretary job for Dr. Bergamini in 1959, a job which became full time and worked for him until 1993. Shirley also enjoyed several different home party businesses from selling pocket books, jewelry and fingernails in which she not only excelled in, but regularly enjoyed entertaining her clients and friends with jokes and skits. She was considered a pioneer in local politics and was the only woman of the original signers of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee contract with the International Olympic Committee. She successfully served as the first and only female Mayor of the Village of Lake Placid and Supervisor of the Town of North Elba. Shirley's main love was spending time with her family and friends. She could be found in the summertime in her garden or picking berries to make pies and jams. The family would travel in the winter into Canada and northern New York following her son Edward in the Pee Wee hockey program. Shirley loved having her family home and would sit around the piano singing songs and telling jokes and stories that only Shirley could tell. Shirley could be found on stage singing and dancing for the Lake Placid Hospital annual fundraisers in the 1960?s and 1970?s. Her love of her hometown and willingness to always lend a hand kept her active in many civic organizations. Shirley began her community service with the Lake Placid Pee Wee Youth Hockey program from 1973 until 1983, serving as secretary. From there she continued to serve her community in the following ways: 1974- 1984 - Lake Placid school board serving as President in 1974 and 1978. 1974-1984 - Essex county school board Association, 1975-1984 - Secretary-Treasurer, Northern NY American Hockey Association 1976-1984 - Board of Directors - Rural School Boards Association, 1976 -1980 - Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee Member, only woman of the original signers with the International Olympic Committee. 1984 - 1990 - Lake Placid Village Board Member, 1987 Director- NY State Association of Women?s Officials, 1993 - 1995 - Mayor of Lake Placid, 1993 - 2003 - Chairperson, Community Advisory Board of State and Federal Prisons of of Ray Brook, 1991 -Nationally recognized as one of New York State?s Business &Professional Women's Outstanding Woman of the Year, 1993 - Adirondack Chapter Business & Professional woman of the Year, 1996 - 2007 - Supervisor of Town of North Elba, 1996 - 2007 - Essex county Board of Supervisors, 1998 - Chairman, Essex County Human Services Committee, 2009 - Elected to Lake Placid Hall of Fame, 2014 - Woman of Distinction Honoring Women in New York, nominated by Senator Betty Little. Shirley also served as Treasurer of the board of trustees for the Tri-Lakes Federal Credit Union. She was an active member of the Lake Placid Kiwanis club, serving as president 2007-2008. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Literacy Volunteers of Essex County, Elks Club #1508, Treasurer of the Lake Placid Seniors, Former choir member of the Adirondack Community Church and current choir member of the First United Methodist church in Saranac Lake. Shirley loved to bowl and taught her children and grandchildren to "throw the ball and thumb touches your nose for a perfect strike" She played in league play beginning in her late 20?s and just bowled her last game in March 2015. Shirley is survived by her husband of 60 years Norris Earl "Bucky" Seney, daughters Elaine Raymond (Robert) of Queensbury, NY, Nancy Cross of Metairie, LA; son Edward (Sandra) of Bow, NH. Six grandchildren, Major Derek Raymond (Lilya) of Clarksville, TN, Courtney Raymond (Bethany) of Harwinton, CT, Travis Cross (fiance Morgan Lanoux), Sean Cross (fiance Melissa LeBlanc) all of Metairie, LA, Garett Seney and Morgan Seney of Boston, MA. Four great grandchildren, Parker and Nicholas Raymond of Clarksville TN, and Silas and Finley Raymond of Harwinton, CT. She was pre-deceased by her parents Alta and Guy Wescott, brothers Guy and Robert and sister Joyce Hill. She is survived by her sisters Dorice Torrance and Mary Fran Merrill of Lake Placid, Alta Klimmer of Spencer, TN and brother Alton Wescott (Sheila) of Lake Placid, and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at M.B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home on Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM with an American Legion Woman's Auxiliary Prayer Service at 8:45 PM. Funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY on Monday, September 14th at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the North Elba Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Placid Beautification 177 John Brown Road, LP NY 12946 or Lake Placid Pee Wee Athletic Association PO Box 129, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Relatives and friends wishing to share a memory, send flowers, upload a photo or leave online condolences are invited to visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .