Obituary of Jeanne Marie Waldock

Jeanne Marie Waldock Olean, NY-- Jeanne Marie Waldock of 107 Grant Ct. died Friday (March 10, 2006) at The Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center, Olean where she had been a resident since 2002. Born July 30, 1924 in Olean, NY she was the daughter of Charles and Marie Allen !McDermott. She was married to Dr. James Waldock, a former Olean ophthalmologist, who predeceased her March 16, 1984. Mrs. Waldock was a lifelong resident of Olean and attended Villa Marie College in Erie, Pa where she served as president of the freshman class. She then received her undergraduate degree and later her master’s degree in English from St. Bonaventure University. She worked as an educator, first teaching art at St. Mary of the Angels Parochial School and later she taught English at Alfred University. During her teaching tenure she was instrumental in helping to create the Olean campus of Jamestown Community College. Mrs. Waldock was an active lifelong member of St. Mary of the Angels Church and in the 1990’s she contributed to operating the Olean Historical Association. She served on the Olean School Board of Education in the mid 1960’s. She traveled extensively, with one notable trip being to Egypt where she interviewed Jehan Sedat, the wife of Anwar Sedat who was the Egyptian prime minister at the time. Mrs. Waldock was an activist for the betterment of life in the Southern Tier. She ran unsuccessfully for the NYS Assembly in 1976 and 1978 on the theme of saving the local railroads from decline. She did serve as president of the Eight State Rail Preservation Group and also lobbied extensively for completion of the Southern Tier Expressway through this region. Surviving are 4 sons James K. (Mary Ann) Waldock of Overland Park, KS, Leland J. (Hyeshin) Waldock of Greenwich, CT, Philip A. Waldock of Atlanta, GA and Wade C. (Eriko) Waldock of Briarcliff Manor, NY; 9 grandchildren; 2 sisters Joan !McGuire and Laura “Lolly” !McElfresh, both of Olean and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a sister Eileen Ware. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean today from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held Monday (March 13, 2006) beginning with a prayer service at 9:30am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY 2805 Wehrle Dr. Suite 6 Williamsville, NY 14221-7380 or to Friends of The Pines of Olean 2245 W. State St. Olean, NY 14760.