Hortense H. Gillespie

Died peacefully at home on March 14, 2020, at age 98 years, with her family by her side. Predeceased by her husband, Frank W. Gillespie, and her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Donald Baker. Survived by beloved daughters, Kathleen A. Gillespie and Janet F. Gillespie, both of Rochester, cherished stepdaughter, Sharon H. Zammer of Blackwood, NJ, and their families; nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A lifelong Rochesterian, Mrs. Gillespie graduated from West (now Wilson Magnet) High School at age 16, then attended Darrow-May Business School before beginning employment as a secretary and stenographer – she was an expert in Gregg shorthand notetaking. One of her first jobs was as assistant to the late Sol M. Linowitz at The Haloid Company (later Xerox Corporation); and her work life also included positions at Rochester Community Savings Bank and the Department of Environmental Services at Rochester City Hall. A hardworking, "can do" member of the Greatest Generation, she always put family and friends first, but also loved working in her garden, reading American history, and studying genealogy. Without the use of the Internet, she learned enough to trace her family tree back to the year 1790. She was a lifetime member of Salem United Church of Christ and service sorority Beta Sigma Phi. She will be greatly missed. A special acknowledgment of gratitude is made to all of her devoted caregivers from the UR Medicine/Visiting Nurse Service Signature Care team, especially Arlene Goodson, Myong Piecuch, Natalie Pantoja, Terri Ann Harris, Nancy Bailey, and Sandra Davis. Friends may call Thursday, March 19th, from 12 to 1 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 6 Empire Boulevard, Rochester 14609; funeral service to follow at 1 pm with burial at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in her memory to the Arthritis Foundation-Upstate New York Chapter, 3300 Monroe Avenue, Suite 319, Rochester, New York 14618, or to the Humane Society of Rochester, c/o Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450