Phyllis Finch

Middleburgh- Phyllis Ruth Hammond Finch, 77, of State Route 145, died Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born September 26,1937 in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of Philip and Ruth (Houghton) Hammond.

Phyllis was a 1955 graduate of Westfield High School in NJ and a 1961 graduate of University of Vermont, acquiring a BS in Home Economics.

Her career began with working in the school system in Fleischmans, then at Schoharie County Cooperative Extension and Schoharie County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Division. She retired from NYS Dept. of Social Service as an intake representative in Albany.

She was an active member of the Valley Bible Baptist Church as a Sunday School Teacher, Seedline Ministry (Bible Publishing), participating in the choir, playing piano, and women's ministry.

Phyllis' hobbies and interests include quilting, knitting, crocheting, fishing on Lake Champlain, watching the birds, particularly cardinals and hummingbirds outside her window. She also found great pleasure in decorating cakes for various occasions.

Survivors include her husband, Richard A. Finch, whom she married June 30, 1962; two children: Charles Finch of Schoharie and Nancy (William) Madison of Carlisle; grandchildren: Joseph, Jolita, Dustin, and Dylan; and great-grandchildren: Selena, Kelsey, Joseph Jr., Natalia and Remington; her sister: Jean Elizabeth Hammond of Columbus, GA; brother: Robert W. (Patricia) Hammond of Claremont, NH; niece: Susan DiFranco Novitski; nephew: Michael Hammond; great-nieces: Sierra DiFranco and Alyxandrhea Hammond; and great-nephew: Jagger DiFranco; many cousins and numerous friends from her church and at work.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Valley Bible Baptist Church, Mineral Springs Rd., Cobleskill with Rev. Shawn Foster officiating. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the church from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, May 19. Burial will be in Keyserkill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northeast Baptist Seedline Ministries, PO Box 127, Howes Cave, NY 12092.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh and Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.