Obituary of Barbara S. Crans

Barbara S. Crans Dundee/Penn Yan: Barbara S. Crans, age 91, of Penn Yan formerly of Dundee, N.Y. died Tuesday May 31, 2016 at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home, in Penn Yan, N.Y. Friends are invited to calling hours from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Monday (June 6) at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where a memorial service will be held at noon with Lay Pastor Lew Ann Giles officiating. Inurnment will be in Lakemont Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Dundee Baptist Church, 20 Seneca Street, Dundee, NY 14837 or to the Manor Crest Foundation, 411 Clinton St., Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527. Barbara was born January 21, 1925 in Penn Yan, N.Y., the daughter of the late Howard and Helen (Rector) Swarthout. She graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1942. On Jan. 24, 1943 in Penn Yan, NY she married the late Henry William "Harry" Crans; who passed away on June 25, 2006. A life long area resident, having spent some of her childhood in Buffalo; Barbara was a homemaker all of her life. She worked in the Book Store of Lakemont Academy in the mid 1960's; and after her nest was empty, she returned to school to pursue her nursing dream, graduating from the Marion S. Whelan School of Nursing as the oldest member of the class of 1976. She accepted a position as an LPN at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home where she worked until her retirement in 1984. Mrs. Crans was a devoted member of the Dundee Baptist Church, having been a former Trustee, Deaconess, and Sunday School Teacher, she was also a former member of the Crystal Valley Grange, a former 4-H Leader, and had served for 16 years as Election Inspector from 1989-2005. She enjoyed gardening, sold produce, and loved helping raise her grandchildren. She is loved and will be missed by 2 sons Henry W. (Deb) Crans of Newfield, NY, Timothy J. Crans of Hammondsport, NY, 2 daughters Helen E. (Richard) Axtell of Dundee, Barbara (Arden) Sorensen of Himrod, NY, many wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was pre-deceased by a son James E. Crans in 2008, and a grandson Scott Kiklowicz in 1998. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.