Therese Gary Obituary
Therese "TC" GARY, 85, of Rochester, NY, formerly of Wellsville, died Tuesday, July 1, 2026 in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester.
Born November 19, 1940, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Joseph B. and Rose Harrington Fortner. On April 11, 1964, in Immaculate Conception Church, Wellsville, she married Wayne E. "Satch" Gary, who predeceased her on December 29, 2016.
A 1958 graduate of Wellsville High School and a 1961 graduate of The Sisters of Charity Hospital School of Nursing, she was employed as a registered nurse by Jones Memorial Hospital early in her career in labor and delivery and did private care for the elderly. She was a school nurse part-time in the Allentown School and was the Whitesville Central School nurse for 25 years from 1978 – 2003.
TC was very involved in her community especially the church, both in Wellsville and Scio, and at ICS as a volunteer. She was a brownie and girl scout leader, involved in organizing many high school reunions, member of the altar and rosary society, a eucharistic minister, and made altar linens, banners, and decorations. She was very talented as a painter, seamstress, quilter, and active in the Southern Tier Fiberarts Guild where she loved knitting, spinning and weaving. She was a member of the Wellsville ladies bridge club that met monthly for many years.
TC had a true love of family, friends, faith, and food. Her family was her greatest love and she was the biggest cheerleader of her daughters. She loved entertaining, was a wonderful cook and baker, set a beautiful table, loved garage sales, and was an avid gardener. She was known for being a snazzy dresser, journey jugs, and Southern Comfort Manhattans. Memorable trips include Ireland, California and cross county with Satch and Harold and Kate Emrick. TC always had a smile, kind word, and had a life well lived.
Surviving are: daughters, Gretchen Gary and Cynthia (R. Christopher) Kosciewicz; grandchildren, Austin Johnson, Emily Kosciewicz, Michael Kosciewicz, and Erin Kosciewicz (Jon) Tedder; brother, Joseph (Mary Jo) Fortner; nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Rita Gary (Carl) Lipsius; and sister-in-law, Sheila Gary. Her lifelong friends include: Rosie O'Grady, Colleen Walsh, Helen Monroe, Pat Smith, Marilyn Padden, and Judy Gath Smith. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Molly Marie Gary; brother and TC's twin, Thomas F. (Joy) Fortner; brother, Robert H. Fortner; sister, Jeanne M. (George) Zenger; and brother-in-law, Dene Gary.
Friends may call at Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 8, 2026 in Immaculate Conception Church, Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wellsville.
Memorials may be made to Southern Tier Fiber Arts Guild, c/o Penny Coleman, 305 Farnum St., Wellsville, NY 14895.
