Lola Irene “Renie” Craig.
Lola Irene “Renie” Craig, of Candor passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015, at home with her daughters by her side. Renie was born April 18, 1925 in Candor, N.Y. to the late Melvin and Estella VandeBogart Personeus.
Renie is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Thomas “TR” Craig; two sons, Thomas “TIG” Craig, Richard E. “Puss” Craig; two daughters, Corinne Howe, Phyllis Likens; two sisters, Pieny Strong, Barbara Estelle.
Renie is survived by those who will forever love her – Sherry Craig, Debbie Craig, Jim and Arlene Howe; Gene Likens, Diane and Lynn Craig; ten grandchildren, Tom (Chanae) Craig, Brian Craig, Pamela (Kevin) Whitehill, Tom (Christa Fehrenbach) Craig, Amy (Nick) Oren, Craig Howe, Kendra (Dan) Perry, Heather Toyryla Dahl, Eric (Chris) McIntire, Andy (Tracy) McIntire; 10 great-grandchildren, JT, Austin, Cambrea, Payton, Alexis, Damon, Isabela, Daisy, Ruby, Sierra; and several nieces and nephews.
Renie will be remembered for her caring, wit, and sharp mind. She graduated in 1942 in Candor, then from Binghamton City Nursing School. She was a secretary, finance officer, chief cook and bottle washer for TR Craig Oil Co. for over 65 years.
Renie was a 68-year Charter Member of the Arden Kelsey American Legion Auxiliary, which made her very proud, as did her being a faithful communicant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Candor. She was also a member of the Candor Sorosis Bookclub, Candor Historical Society and Pomona Grange.
Renie loved nature, watching the birds, visiting shut-ins, gardening, and most of all her biological, extended and church families.
Diane and Lynn are forever grateful for the care given to their mother the past three weeks by Denise Ahart (cherished great niece), Judy White, Lynn Klossner, Patty Walp, Dale Andersen, Ellen Fogle and Kathy King – all of whom went above and beyond.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 18, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Candor, N.Y. The family received friends on Wednesday at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home in Candor with the Arden Kelsey American Legion Auxiliary Services conducted at the funeral home.
The family is asking the community to consider doing a random act of kindness or donating in Irene Craig’s memory to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 17, Candor, N.Y. 13743 or St. Luke’s Chapel, 92 Main St., Van Etten, N.Y. 14889. Donations may also be made to the Tioga County Friends of Hospice, P.O. Box 638, Owego, N.Y. 13827. Condolences may be made to the Craig Family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.
