Obituary of Olive E. Morse

PORTLAND - Olive Esther Morse, age 84, of 8919 Walker Road, Portland died peacefully Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the home of her son in Westfield. She was born on April 22, 1928 in Portland,NY the daughter of the late Albert E. and Hazel (Walker) Cranston. Olive was a 1945 graduate of Brocton Central School and then attended Dunkirk Business School. She joined the Grange when she was 14 years old and was a very active member. Olive was a 7th degree grange member. She joined the National Grange in Rochester. As a grange member Olive held many posts including Chaplain of the Pomona Grange as well as Master and secretary. She was employed by Heppell Robinson Agency as a clerk for 13 years prior to her marriage. She married James H. Morse, of Portland, NY on November 30, 1961 and had recently celebrated 50 years of a wonderful marriage.Together , James and Olive raised their three sons on the family farm in Portland. Olive taught children's church, the Cradle Roll Sunday school class,volunteered with the MOPS program and sang in the choir at Westfield First Baptist Church for many years. She was the church clerk for more than two decades. She also taught release time classes at Brocton Central School. She attended the First Portland Baptist Church of Brocton before her marriage where she sang in the choir and held other posts. Olive is survived by her husband James Morse, her sons: John (Leah) of Westville, Okla., Paul, of Ulmer, S.C., and Dale (Jennifer) of Westfield. Further survived by seven grandchildren, Isaac, Nathan, and Christine Morse of Oklahoma, and Jessica, Darren, Lillian, and Eli Morse of Westfield, and one great-grandson, Damien Morse; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Hazel Walker, and her brother and sister-in-law Allen and Bernice Cranston. Friends and family may call on Monday, May 7, 2012 from 7-9 pm at the First Baptist Church ,9 Kent Street, Westfield, NY and there again on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 10 until 11:00 am when funeral services will begin. Pastor Thayne Bodenmiller officiating. Burial will be held privately at the Portland Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, NY. Flowers gratefully declined but memorials in Olives' name may be made to the First Baptist Church, 9 Kent Street, Westfield, NY 14787. Arrangements have been entrusted with the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY 14787. To send a message of sympathy, please log on to www.masonfuneral.com