Philadelphia- Edith A. LaVancha, 93, died peacefully at her and her daughter Jane’s home in Philadelphia, NY on Saturday evening, September 29, 2012. She was under the care of Hospice of Jefferson Co.

Born on July 11, 1919 in Benson Mines, NY to Charles & Nellie Benson Gray, she graduated from Harrisville Central School. She was a homemaker. She married Lawrence F. LaVancha on September 7, 1936 in Harrisville. The couple was happily married for 53 years. They owned and operated a dairy farm for many years and moved from Philadelphia to Great Bend in July 1989. He died on November 11, 1989.

She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Carthage for over 60 years. She held a variety of positions in the church; Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, board member and was a member of the choir for many years. She also enjoyed family gatherings, music, gardening, cooking and she was an avid Bible reader.

She is survived by several children; three sons, Ron and his wife Kathy, Copenhagen; Lawrence and Irene, Evans Mills, Dennis and his wife Juanita, Great Bend, six daughters; Nancy and her husband Wayne Reifsteck, VA, Edie and her husband Jerry Dickinson, Denmark, Bonnie and her husband Mike Madonna, FL, Donna Barber, Carthage, Jane Stone, Philadelphia and Flora and her husband, Steve Wilson, Theresa. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband, a daughter, Sharon Briggs, 11 siblings, 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 6th at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Nazarene, Carthage, with the Rev. David Allison, Pastor, officiating. Visitation was held at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc., 500 State St, Carthage. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery, Carthage.

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