On the evening of May 24, 2017, Avonell Meade (“Ave”) died peacefully with her son, David, by her side. In February, she celebrated her 90^th birthday with over 70 family members. A resident of 344 Maple Shade Road in Cranberry for 61 years, she spent the last three years with her son, David Meade and his wife Elizabeth, in Pittsford, New York.

She is also survived by a daughter, Betty (Cliff) Vogan, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Melat of Van, and her brother,  Harold Weaver of Rockland.   Ave was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert , in 2008; and the tragic loss of her son, Michael “Chris” in 1968. 

Always the homemaker, she was “Aunt Ave” to family and friends alike. Born at home in Van on February 11, 1927, she was a lifelong member of the Van United Methodist Church, and especially known for her contributions to the music and Christian education programs. Ave and her church family always took their “church” with them, and the “camping gang” of many families would organize services wherever they travelled. A devoted wife and mother, Ave was forever  in the thick of family activities, ranging from fishing, hunting, boating, archery, and trapping to beekeeping, home building, and of course, feeding the whole bunch. But she also expressed her own special gifts, especially in music, reading, poetry, and crafts, and even wrote a column for the Derrick. A friend to everyone, she became a treasured participant at the Pittsford Senior Center when she moved to New York. 

Family and friends may gather on Saturday, June 10, from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, where a memorial service will follow at 4:30 p.m.  Rev. Jon Peterson will officiate.  A reception dinner  will follow at 6:00 p.m. in The Living Word Church, 1398 State Rte. 157, Oil City . Private interment will be conducted at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Van.

In lieu of flowers, memorial  contributions may be made to The Pittsford Senior Center, 3750 Monroe Ave # 950, Pittsford, NY 14534; a local chapter of hospice; or books for a local library.

Condolences may be sent online to Avonell’s family by visiting www.hilebest.com.

 Service Information