Obituary of Jeanne D. Gourley

Jeanne D. Gourley, 84, of 110 Chadwick Street in Jamestown, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011 in WCA Hospital. An area resident most of her life, she was born May 31, 1927 in Derby, NY, a daughter of the late LaVerne and Erma Wardwell Danforth. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1945 and studied further at Jamestown Community College. Jeanne took great pride in being one of the first Certified Public Secretaries (CPS) in the area. Throughout the years, she had been employed by the former Jamestown Telephone Co., GMAC in Jamestown, Siedman & Siedman, Art Metal Corp., Ulrich Planfiling, Phillips Lytle, and retired from Cummins Engine in Lakewood. From 1975 until the present, she had also owned and operated the Stever Co., a mimeograph and copying company. Jeanne was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she presently served as treasurer and was a former Sunday school teacher. She was past president of the National Secretaries Assoc. and active in the 100 Member Club and Class of 1945. She was a member of the Business Professional Women, Zonta Club of Jamestown, Westside Women's Club and a life member of the Marvin Community House, where she served on the Board of Trustees. Surviving are three children: Kathleen A. Gourley of Jamestown, Robert (Laurie) Gourley of Missouri City, TX and Cindy D. Anderson of Matthews, NC; three grandchildren: Tim (Jessa) Anderson of LeRoy, NY, Jill E. Anderson of Indian Land, SC and Cara Jean Gourley of North Andover, MA; a sister, Pat Lamphear of Lakewood; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Gourley whom she married June 14, 1947 and who died June 28 2001, and a brother, LaVerne Danforth and sister, Judy Kayner. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Richard Young and the Rev. Michael Childs will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service in the church Tuesday. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 358 E. Fifth St.; the Marvin Community House, 2 W. Fifth St.; or the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, all in Jamestown, NY 14701.