Whether you knew her as Rose, Rosie or Rosenell; Mom, Grandma or Grandmama; Grandma Rose, Grandma ’Roni, Big Mamoo, or Zie-Zie Upstairs; you knew a remarkable individual. You knew a woman perpetually young at heart, with a zest for living and always ready to try something new (especially a new furniture arrangement — usually kitty-corner).

She was a blessing to her family and friends, a gentle soul with a quiet wisdom, and a person of extraordinary generosity. If you ever left her house hungry, it was your own fault.

And, she was a survivor. Anyone who could survive a lightning strike, brain surgery in the 1950s, and 30 years as a widow on her own must be considered a survivor.

Rose was born in Amsterdam on Thursday, April 17, 1913. She was the fifth child of Raffaele and Theresa (Greco) Conti, who had emigrated separately from Pisciotta, Italy, and settled in Amsterdam. Rose had three sisters, Nettie, Beatrice and Rosalie, and three brothers, Dan, Vito and Frank, all now deceased.

She attended Amsterdam city schools until the ninth grade, and although an honor student, she left her formal education to begin work. (Little did she know it was the start of some 70 years of work, not taking "early" retirement until age 84.)

Her work included sewing buttons on cards, labels on shirts, and making field jackets during World War II, but in her professional life, she was best known as a glove maker and owner of the Rose Snell Glove Shop. Over time, in this role, she employed hundreds of women — thumbers, tackers, turners, and virtually all the operations needed to assemble finished gloves. Thousands and thousands of dozens and dozens of gloves.

Rose was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, and early on, sang with the St. Cecelia’s Choir. She was a member of the St. Sofia Society. Her faith was strong, constant, and deeply felt. Prayer was an essential part of her everyday life.

She met her husband-to-be, Clifford Snell, of Little Falls, when she was 16. They were married seven years later, on Dec. 27, 1936. Their marriage lasted nearly 40 years until Cliff’s death in 1976.

They had two children, Marguerite and Ralph. Rose took great pride in her children and, as they married, in their spouses as well.

Marguerite, who lives in Gainesville, Ga., was married to the late Gerald J. Sardonia. Ralph is married to Susan Dornbusch Snell; they live in Cooperstown. Besides her children, Rose deeply loved her grandchildren, Mark Sardonia and his wife, Melanie, Rosemarie Jones and her husband, Russell, Scott Sardonia and his wife, Karen, Laura Marshall and her husband, William, James Sardonia and his fiancee, Katherine Casula, Daniel Sardonia and his wife, Melissa; Katy Snell, Anna Snell, and Emily Snell. In addition, she cherished her six great-grandchildren, Marisa and Mitchell Sardonia, Theresa Day and Russell Jones Jr., and Katie and Nathan Sardonia; and two great-great-grandchildren, Angela Mason and Frankie Chambers. She treasured her special niece, Sarah Abattista; countless family members near and far; and many, many friends, in particular, her dear friend, Mary Vecchio. She touched many lives.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 58 Grove St., Amsterdam. Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Amsterdam.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at the funeral home.

Rose’s family welcomes, in her memory, flowers, Masses, or contributions to your favorite charity.

Please sign the family’s guestbook at www.brbsfunerals.com.

He was born Sept. 6, 1956, son of Kermit and Wilhemina (Rutledge) Gregory in Sidney.

David graduated from Unatego Central School in 1974 and entered an apprentice program with the Bendix Corp. in Sidney, where he worked for 25 years. Most recently he was employed with Schaffer Logging in Deposit.

He married Mary Mazzarella on June 2, 1984, in Morris.

David was an outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing and logging.

He is survived by his mother, Wilhemina Gregory, Unadilla; four daughters, Rosemary Gregory of Sidney, Emily, Lydia and Natalie Gregory of Unadilla; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Linda Gregory, Schoharie, and Thomas and Sue Gregory, Unadilla; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Ann and Sonny Toilette, Bixby, Okla., and Jackie Gregory, Utica; ex-wife, Mary Mazzarella Deck, Unadilla; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Kermit.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney. Memorial services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. David Masland of United Methodist Church in Sidney, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Unadilla Fire Department.

Arrangements by C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel in Sidney.

He made a career in the military, proudly serving his country in three wars. He also served as a guard for the Nuremberg Trials.

He is survived by a son, Nickolas J. Yaciw of Maryland; one daughter and son-in-law, Charles and Marie Hoag of Sprakers; four grandchildren, Nichole Yaciw, Tate and Marigrace Hoag, Randy N. Hoag and friend, and Wade Hoag; one great-great-grandson, Aiden Charles Hoag; as well as many close friends and family.

There will be a remembrance service and military burial to be announced in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Schenevus Fire Department and Emergency Squad or to the Schenevus VFW.