Obituary of Catherine E. Wells

MOHAWK – Mrs. Catherine E. (Dutcher) Wells, who lived a long and beautiful life of 98 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at the Alpine of Little Falls, where she has been a resident for the past four months.

Born on August 2, 1919, Catherine was the daughter of the late Linos and Grace (Williams) Dutcher. She was raised and educated locally and was a graduate of Mohawk High School. She continued her education at the Utica School of Commerce.

On November 11, 1945, Catherine was wed to Mr. Leland G. Wells in the Reformed Church, and together they shared in over 53 years of a blessed and devoted union until Mr. Wells’ passing on December 23, 1998.

Catherine began her career with the Oneida National Bank and then worked for a time for the Sperry-Rand Corporation in Ilion. She then obtained a position as a secretary with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and worked for Cornell University for over fifteen years until her retirement.

As a supportive and caring wife and mother, Catherine was dedicated to the well-being of her husband and upbringing of her children. She enjoyed the game of golf and along with her husband, travelled extensively both at home and abroad. For over twenty-five years she spent her winters at her second home in Florida.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Harvey Federman of Colorado; her son, James Wells of Little Falls; her granddaughter, Lauren Wells of New York City; her sister, Eleanor Pederson of Ilion; her brother, Frederick Dutcher of New York Mills; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation on Wednesday afternoon, September 13, 2017, from 2:30PM – 4:00PM at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s larger facility located at 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 895-7722. Catherine’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence at 4:00PM at the funeral home, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation, with Elder Ken Palmer of the Mohawk Reformed Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Mohawk Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in Catherine’s memory, to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund, Attn: GlobalGiving, Project #29723, 1110 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

A special thank you is extended to the entire staff of the Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, for the excellent care and compassion shown to Catherine throughout her last months.

All funeral arrangements and supervision have been entrusted to Martin L. Ciaccia and Don Applegate, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.applegateandday.com.