ILION - Florence M. (Wright) Layaw, age 89, of Prindle Apts., 80 E. North St., Ilion, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Alpine Nursing Home, Little Falls, NY. She was born on July 7, 1925, in Ilion, the daughter of Lockburn and Margaret (Engel) Wright, and graduated from Ilion High School. Florence was married to Ray W. Layaw on May 6, 1944, in Ogdensburg, NY. He died on May 19, 2004. She was employed as a machine operator at Duofold Co. in Ilion and Mohawk for ten years. Mrs. Layaw was a member of the Ilion United Methodist Church. Surviving family members include three daughters and sons-in-law, Karla and Erwin "Buck" Youker, of Ilion, RaeAnn and James Burth, of Poland, and Lynda and Anthony Fosella, of Herkimer; her son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Paula Layaw, of Herkimer; nine grandchildren, Christopher Bohler and his wife, Erin, of Tucson, AZ, Tirzah Hazzard and her husband, Steve, of Fort Plain, Ginger Reed and her husband, Scott, of Mohawk, Stephanie Grande, of Little Falls, Chad Riesel and his wife, Colleen, and Brad Riesel and his wife, Bridget, all of Herkimer, Estelle Fosella, of Ilion, Brian Higgins and his wife, Brenda, of Jordanville, and Lesa Higgings Brayton, of NC; nineteen great-grandchildren; nine great-great- grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; best friends, Gene and Joan Dufresne; and her many friends at Prindle Apartments in Ilion. She was predeceased by her brother, Ilion Fire Chief Richard Wright, in 1977, and her great-granddaughter, Zoie Mae Riesel. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's newly reopened home at 102 West St., Ilion, with Father Steven A. Scarcia officiating. Burial will be at North Columbia Cemetery next to her husband, Ray. Calling hours will be Thursday, May 28, 2015, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral home service at 102 West St., Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Florence, or add to her online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 6390 Fly Rd., East Syracuse, NY 13057. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Florence's services were prearranged and are entrusted to her family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.