Estella W. Kornatowski

West Leyden- Estella (Ward) Kornatowski, 88, a former resident of State Rt. 294, West Leyden, the widow of Anthony J., passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at Rome Memorial Hospital, after a long illness. Prior to entering the hospital, she was a resident of Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville. Affectionately known as Stella, she was born in the Town of Turin, on August 7, 1922, a daughter of Ernest and Mary Sebastian Ward. Stella grew up in the Constableville area, where she attended high school. She played Trumpet in the Constableville High School Band, and played the position of guard on the high school basket ball team. On June 7, 1941, Stella was united in marriage with Anthony J. Kornatowski at St. Hedwigï¿(TM)s Church of Houseville. In the early 1940ï¿(TM)s the couple purchased the former Domser Farm, on Upper West Leyden Road, which they operated together until 1963. At that time they sold their farm to their daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Larry Kent, and moved to State Rt. 294. She was a waitress at Hollandï¿(TM)s Diner, Port Leyden, and Slimï¿(TM)s Restaurant, Boonville. In the early 1960ï¿(TM)s she began her employment in the cafeteria at West Leyden Elementary School, retiring as head cook in the early 1990ï¿(TM)s. Mr. Kornatowski, a former bus driver and mechanic at Adirondack Central School District, died on December 21, 1978. Stella was a hard working woman , providing a wonderful role model for her family. She could work beside anyone and put them to shame. While living on the farm, she picked stones, milked cows and bailed many loads of hay working diligently beside her husband. She loved getting up at the crack of dawn to travel with her best friend Gussie to the berry patch and together they would pick strawberries by the pounds . She also loved going into Highmarket to pick wild blueberries and making jams with her fresh berries. She wanted a fireplace at the camp she loved so she dug the hole for the foundation . Later, spending as much time there as possible listening to the stream and enjoying the wildlife. She was not spared grief. She was there for her daughter Susan, in 1977 when Susan was paralyzed in a car accident and spent many months recovering. She became her care taker and constant companion traveling many evenings to Utica so Susan could get her Masters degree. This was after working all day. The grief continued when her husband died in 1978 of a heart attack, her oldest grandson Scott, was killed in a car accident in 1985, her oldest daughter Virginia died from a heart attack in 1997 and her daughter, Genevieve died in 2002 from cancer. Yet, she survived the sorrow somehow. Stella will be remembered for the wonderful smile and those big blue glistening eyes . Holidays were always a special time to enjoy the Polish food that she loved to cook. She spent her limited free time crocheting doilies and afghans. She also loved to clean and paint ceramics . Stella will be missed by all that knew her. Stella greatly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by one son Larry and his wife, Mary Kornatowski, Boonville; and one daughter, Susan Kornatowski, West Leyden. She was predeceased by two daughters, Virginia A. Kent, on December 29, 1997, and Genevieve "Genni" Dolan on January 5, 2002, and by a grandson, Scott Dolan, on June 14, 1985. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Jacquelyn Kent, Wendy Vetterlein, Jamie Kent, Nicole Kent, Stephen C. Dolan, Jr. Derek Dolan, Christina Kornatowski, and Matthew Kornatowski, and five great grandchildren; Joshua Kent, Samantha George, Kurt Vetterlein, Nathan Vetterlein, Kaeleigh Moore, one brother, Leon Ward, Port Leyden; four sisters, and three brothers in law, Genevieve Talarczyk, Utica, Regina Higby and Ron, Phyllis Muha and John, both of Constableville, Elizabeth Monroe and Charles, Rome; and two sons-in-law, Larry Kent, West Leyden, and Stephen C. Dolan, Sr. Boonville. She was predeceased by three brothers, Eugene, in 1934, Carl in 1995, and Henry in 2008, three sisters; Florence Stoianoff, in 1991, Lucille Swiernik, in 1993, and Gertrude Trichilo, in 1995. Her Funeral will be Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. Josephï¿(TM)s Church, with interment to follow at St. Josephï¿(TM)s Cemetery, both in Boonville. Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 7 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Leyden Fire Department. For an on-line message of sympathy, or to share a memory of Stella, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.