Rhonda L. Vigus

Rhonda Lee Vigus 77, a longtime Boonville resident, passed away peacefully Friday November 8th at her residence on Pine Lane.

Rhonda was born on February 12, 1947 to Arthur L. Jones and Betty Cushman in Boonville NY. She was raised in Forestport NY and was a graduate of the Forestport Central School Class of 1965. She continued her education at Hudson Valley Community College and graduated in 1967 with an Associates Degree in Dental Assisting.

On January 21, 1984 Rhonda and Kenneth Vigus were united in marriage at the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center on a brisk evening of -32degrees. They shared that union until Ken’s passing in 2017.

In her early years, Rhonda worked as a dental assistant in Troy, NY and in Utica, before working for The Boonville Herald, where she was a Jill of all trades. Prior to her retirement she worked in the Marketing Departments for the American Morgan Horse Association, Americu Credit Union and Rome Teachers Credit Union.

Rhonda’s true passion, however, was in her art work. She loved to fill her evenings and nights painting with oils and enjoying the company of her cat, Tommy Girl. She was especially proud of being Memaw to her 3 grandsons, Zane, Wyatt and Jack.

Rhonda is survived by her two daughters and sons in law, Elaine and Doug Hasty of Sherrill NY and Tonya Brown and Adam Daktor of Forestport, her 3 grandsons, Zane Hasty, Sherrill NY, Wyatt Hasty and his fiancé Elizabeth LaSalle of Liverpool NY and Jack Daktor, Forestport; stepson Ken and Colleen Benedetto and family, Scotia, NY. She is also survived by her caring and watchful siblings Geraldine Ritter, Forestport and Jonathon Jones (Lacey Dolan) also of Forestport and her kind and ever helpful cousin Donna and Alan Salmon of Boonville and her two nephews, Jason and Sarah Ritter and family and Benjamin Ritter. 

She was predeceased by husband Ken, her parents Arthur Jones and Betty Jones Esch, her beloved niece Rebecca Susan Ritter, and brother in law Lawrence Ritter. 

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Matthew Rawson, on SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Church, Forestport, where her family will greet those attending at the conclusion of the Mass. Interment will be in Boonville Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to The Lewis County Humane Society, P.O. Box 682, Lowville, NY 13367. Her arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville A complete obituary will appear in next week’s Boonville Herald.