All-Church Retreat, November 2017

In Memoriam

William Harrison Chadwick, 90, recently of Apalachin, died November 16, 2017. He is survived by his wife L. Evelyn Chadwick, three sons Andrew, David, and Peter, and his beloved grandchildren.

Jane Elizabeth Larrabee Williams, 100, died November 18, 2017, at VNA Hospice in Vero Beach, Florida. She was born January 29, 1917, in Binghamton, the daughter of H. Chester Larrabee, Jr., and Julia Gladys Redding. She attended Binghamton schools and graduated from Ridley Lowell Institute.

A long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, Jane was the first woman to be ordained a Deacon at First, and was also an ordained Elder, Trustee, and past President of their Women’s Association.

Jane was very active in the community. She served as the Executive Director of Broome County Planned Parenthood for 19 years and was presented with both the Margaret Sanger Award and Jane Clair Award for outstanding achievement. She also served the Broome County United Way, Roberson Museum, Treasurer and Golden Member of the Monday Afternoon club, Binghamton Garden Club, past President of Jaycees, past President and Honorary Lifetime Member of the Nimmonsburg PTA, Emeritus Member of the Junior League of Binghamton where she was awarded the coveted silver Watrous Bowl for outstanding service.

After retiring, she spent winters at their home in Vero Beach where she led an active social life with family and friends. She was a voracious reader and traveled extensively all over the world. At the age of 80, Jane purchased her first computer and taught herself to handle investments and arrange travel plans online. After relocating to Indian River Estates in Vero Beach with her husband in 2005, she became active as a volunteer with their sales staff, giving tours of the facility to prospective residents, served as Treasurer of their Chaplain’s Fund, hospitality hostess in the dining room, and was named “Athlete of the Month” for her tenacity and endurance in the workout room! In 2016, she received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her caring service to Indian River Estates residents and staff. She rode her stationary bicycle every day (while reading her Bible), walked the pathways, stopped to smell the roses, watched for the first robin every Spring, and admired the sunsets. Above all, she loved and cared for her family—so much so that her two children purchased homes in Vero Beach so that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were able to spend more time with her there.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Robert Tuckley Williams, in 2005, and her daughter-in-law of 40 years, Bette Hill Williams, in 2008. She is survived by her son Stuart & Suzi [Williamson] Williams (Vero Beach & Colorado); her daughter Nancy & Robert Walter (Vero Beach & Binghamton); grandchildren: Stuart, Jr. & Jacqueline [Noades] Williams (London, UK), Robert, Jr. & Jacqueline [Reese] Walter (Sunrise, FL), Kimberly [Walter] & Benjamin Urich (San Diego); Tuckley Williams (Los Angeles); five great-grandchildren: Thomas, Daniel, & Annabel Williams (London, UK), London & Larrabee Williams (Los Angeles); and nieces Carol Thompson, Alexis and Molly Phillips.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions to The United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton; Family Planning of South Central New York, 117 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901; or to a charity of their choice.

Jane was a revered example of maternal nurture, generosity, graciousness, wisdom, humor, selflessness and quiet dignity—she was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Douglas Geiser, 81, of Binghamton and Naples, Florida, passed away at Binghamton General Hospital on Thursday, December 14, 2017, after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was born in Binghamton on May 30, 1936, the son of the late W. Harold and Louise Geiser. Doug graduated from Colgate University in 1958. He was a member of Theta Chi fraternity and business manager for the Colgate Men’s Glee Club from 1957 to 1958. Upon graduating he entered the United States National Guard. He was the CEO of Binghamton Hardware and HVAC Supply, a wholesale heating and air conditioning supply house. He was a member of the Binghamton Club, Binghamton Country Club, and the Vanderbilt Country Club in Naples, FL. Doug was a former trustee of the former First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Kalurah Shrine-Blue Lodge #177. He was a Past President and life member of the Binghamton Sertoma Club. He was also a Past President of the Binghamton Boys and Girls Club. Doug was President of Berger Brothers Company, a manufacturing company in Feasterville, PA, of roof drainage products.

He is also predeceased by his brother, Allen Geiser. Doug is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Barbara Geiser; his sons Philip Geiser & fiancée Heather Schmouder, and Andrew & Hollee Geiser; his four precious grandchildren Claudia, Jaida, Emma, & Carson Geiser; his brother Robert Geiser; and several nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy in Doug’s memory may be made to the Binghamton Boys and Girls Club, 90 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY, 13905, and the Binghamton Noon Sertoma Club.

Doug was a man who loved his sons and was proud of their accomplishments as men. It is natural to love your sons, but it is great when your sons love you.

Jeane L. Diesenberg, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2018. Jeane was a resident director of the YWCA starting in 1965 and continued for well over 20 years. She was on the board of directors of the Broome County Council on Alcoholism and a deacon at West Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Interfaith Action Committee and the social workers advisory committee to Planned Parenthood of Broome County. She was a Girl Scout Leader for several years. Jeane enjoyed photography, gardening, playing cards and collecting miniatures. She was predeceased by her parents Clinton and Wellma Martin; husband Valentine Diesenberg; sister Ellen Small; and brother William Martin. She is survived by her sister Blanche McEwan and many loving nieces and nephews. Her family will remember her for always being a very gracious hostess and will dearly miss her.