Eleanor D. ''Grandma'' Dykes, 86, of Watkins Glen, died Thursday March 4, 2010 at Schuyler Hospital, Montour Falls.
Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Sunday March 7 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water St., Dundee; where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 8 with Pastor Richard Schied officiating. Burial will be in Bradford Cemetery, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Weston Presbyterian Church, 510 County Rte 23, Dundee, NY 14837, or the Tyrone Volunteer Ambulance Corp., P.O. Box 69 Tyrone, NY 14887.
Eleanor was born Aug. 7, 1923 in the town of Tyrone, the daughter of Harold L. and Muzetta E. McNeil DeCamp. She graduated from Dundee Central School in 1942. On Jan. 13, 1947, she married the late Robert Dykes; he passed away on March 13, 1999. A life long area resident, Mrs. Dykes was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker; she was very active in the community. A devoted member of the Weston Presbyterian Church, since 1939; she was financial secretary, andSunday School Superintendant; as well as the Vacation Bible School Director for Tyrone, and Weston, for many years. Eleanor was a former Cub Scout Den Mother, active supporter of area youth athletics, and could always be found volunteering her time in community service of the local fire departments. In her spare time she enjoyed listening to Christian music, crafts, making quilts for the kids, and lap robes for shut-in’s.
A loving care giver to all her friends and family she was affectionately known to all as “Grandma.” She is loved and will be dearly missed by three sons; Tom L. (Vera) Dykes and Don L. (Cindy) Dykes both of Bradford, Lawrence D. (Kim) Dykes of Tyrone; a daughter Marlene F. (Bill) Gruver of Millport; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren (her 15th due in May); a brother Harold (Martha) DeCamp Jr. of Big Flats; a dear sister-in-law Naomi DeCamp of Bath; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by two infant sons, Charles Ransom Dykes, and William Henry Dykes; a son James Frederick Dykes and a brother, Leon H. DeCamp both in 2004; and a sister Irene Shirley Malloy in 2002.
