OBITUARY

Name:   Geraldine J. (Wesley) Oxx

From:  The Wellsville Daily Reporter, Wellsville, New York
Date:  Sunday, November 23, 2008

Hornell — Geraldine “Jerry” Oxx, 94, of 37 Pearl St., Hornell, died Thursday evening (Nov. 20, 2008) at McAuley Manor following a long illness.

Born in Olean, June 15, 1914, she was the daughter of John and Hazel (Threehouse) Wesley. She resided in Hornell for most of her life.

Jerry attended school in Hornell and was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Eastern Star and an avid bingo player and enjoyed spending the summer months at Keuka Lake. 

She was married for over 60 years to John Oxx, who died May 23, 1990. For nearly 70 years, they owned and operated Oxx Dancing School. They taught several generations of students the fine art of dancing and produced countless “dance recitals” in the Hornell area. All proceeds from these recitals were donated to the former Hornell Youth Recreation Program. This summer program was founded by John and Geraldine Oxx, enabling local children to participate in many activities such as tennis, learning to play music (especially the organ) and spending time on the rifle range. It would be impossible to know exactly how many children benefited from their generosity. Jerry was truly a pioneer for women in business, as she was very successful at a time that was generally considered a “man’s world.”

One of her favorite pastimes was simply sitting on her porch and talking to the neighbors (especially children) as they walked by. As busy as her life was, however, Jerry’s family always came first. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as a “Proud Nana.”

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gordon Wesley; two sisters, Irene Hurlbut and Vivian Mosher; and her son-in-law, Pete Curtis.

Survivors include four daughters, Jackie (Dr. Sylvan) Horwald of Santa Barbara, Calif., Sandra (Fran) Smith of Hornell, Johanna Curtis of Hornell and Jerilyn (Roger) Prentice of Rochester; nine grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Geraldine J. Oxx will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. today at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, where funeral and committal services will take place at the conclusion of calling hours at 2 p.m. with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell.

Geraldine's family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to either the Hornell YMCA Building Fund, 12 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843 or the United Methodist Church, Webbs Crossing Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.