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Estelle Pemberton Gese, 82, passed away Jan. 30, 2010, surrounded by her family, while visiting in Florida. She was born in Rochester, N.Y., in 1928, to Ralph Pemberton and Frances Schmidt Pemberton. Estelle resided in Bemus Point, N.Y., for nearly 60 years. She graduated from SUNY Buffalo (UB) and SUNY Fredonia, and had a long career in elementary education.

Estelle was passionate about spending time with he family, and enjoyed traveling and camping. Her many interest included the Bemus Point Study Club, the Audubon Society, Girl Scouts, needlework, sewing and especially reading.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 62 years, William Gese of Bemus Point, N.Y.; her four children: Glen Gese of Colorado Springs, Colo. (children: Jessica, Craig, Christopher and Ben), Beth Ritchie of Cape Coral, Fla., (husband, Chris and children: Aaron, Charles and Corie), Claire Sleggs of Bemus Point, N.Y. (children: Jay, Kyle and Will Coleman) and Ralph Gese of East Aurora, N.Y. (wife, Mary and children: Mariah and Ryan); her two sisters: Gale Pemberton of Greenville, S.C., and Anne Pemberton of Acton, Mass.; her nieces and nephew: Deborah Pemberton of Londonderry, N.H., Barbara Gese of Tempe, Ariz., and Brian Gese of Spearfish, S.D.; and her two aunts: Bernice Bamber and Elizabeth Merry of Florida.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to her many friends, for their lasting friendships that have spanned decades. A celebration of her life will be held in Bemus Point in the late spring or early summer at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Estelle with a donation to the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department or the Bemus Point Library.