Emily Aular Near, age 83, a longtime resident of Westfield, NY, and more recently of Fredonia Place Assisted Living in Fredonia, NY, passed away on June 29, 2015 at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, NY.
Born on March 29, 1932 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late James W. and Augusta-Ann (Burns) Aular, Emily graduated from Dunkirk High School, received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Fredonia State Teachers College in 1953 and continued her post-graduate work at Fredonia State and Syracuse University.
Emily taught second grade at Chautauqua Central School for 34 years, retiring in 1987. During most of her time teaching, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the former Fourth Supervisory School District Federal Credit Union serving on its supervisory committee for many years. She was a longtime member of the Canadaway Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Dunkirk Historical Society, the Beta Beta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of women teachers, and the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield.
After her retirement, Emily traveled extensively, became active in the Mayville Tuesday Club, several bridge groups, tackled New York Times crossword puzzles, read virtually every mystery available from the Patterson Library, and made time for her well-loved dogs.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary (William) Beckman and grandson Ian Beckman of Beverly, Mass.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother William and husband Malcolm with whom she shared 37 years of marriage.
Friends and family may call at the Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY on Tuesday July 7, 2015 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. A celebration of her life will immediately follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dana Vaughn officiating. Burial will be private in Mayville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage St., Westfield, NY 14787, The First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, 49 S. Portage St., Westfield, NY 14787, or the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.
Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Emily's family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.
Obituary from the Dunkirk Observer
