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GERRY - Rachel Hamilton Rennells, 98, of Heritage Village, Gerry, formerly of Jamestown, Genesee, Pennsylvania, and Niagara Falls, died Friday, Aug. 21, 2009 at home.

Born April 22, 1911, near Ulysses, Pa., daughter of the late Paul L. and Grace Plants Hamilton.

She graduated from Ulysses High School in 1930, Mansfield State College in 1932, Clarion State University in 1940 and Buffalo State University in 1962 receiving her master's degree in educational supervision and administration. Rachel was employed as a teacher, principal and supervisor of student teachers in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York for more than 30 years, including, County School in Potter County, Pa., Logan, Ohio, and Jamestown Public Schools at Persell, Fairmont and was principal at Charles Street Elementary School.

An active lifelong member of the Free Methodist Church, she served as teacher, Sunday school superintendent and christian education director in churches, where she was a member and she was a member of the Gerry Free Methodist Church.

Community activities included Cub Scouting, life member of the PTA, University Women, New York State Association of Elementary School Principals, life member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Gideons' Auxiliary, volunteer at Heritage Village Campus and Health Care Center. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a descendent of John and Priscilla Mullin Alden

who were on the Mayflower in 1620.

Rachel enjoyed people, stories, readings, parties, traveling and learning. She modeled love, generosity, faith and joy, encouraging and inspiring others through birthday cards, letters, phone calls and words of encouragement. She depended on "Dr. Jesus" and said the way she lived this long was "Trust God and keep going." Her memory will forever be cherished by her loving family.

Wife of 50 years to the late Carl A. Rennells, whom she married Aug. 29, 1939, and who died Feb. 8, 1989; mother of Duane H. (Linda) Rennells of Wynantskill, N.Y., and Louise Grace (Rex) Carpenter of Hampton, Va.; grandmother of Benjamin (Lynn) Bennett-Carpenter of Michigan, Heather (Scott) Stamper of New York, Joshua C. Carpenter of Virginia, Philip (Elizabeth) Carpenter of Colorado, Rachel (Chris) Binder of Kyrgyzstan, Matthew C. Rennells of South Carolina, Sarah Rennells of Florida, and Mary Rennells of New York; great-grandmother of six; and sister of Mary Green of Heritage Village Campus, and the late George R. Hamilton and Marjory Warriner.

Funeral service 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 in Seeley Auditorium of Schwab Manor, Heritage Village Campus, Gerry. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville, and one hour prior to the service in Seeley Auditorium. Burial in Ulysses

Cemetery, Ulysses, Pa.

Memorials to Gideon's International Memorial Bible Fund, Heritage Village or to a Christ centered church of your choice.