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CORTLAND -- Ethelyn J. Obertots, 94, of Cortland, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital.
Joyce, as she was affectionately known as, was born Nov. 18, 1930, in Warren, the daughter of Willard B. and Margaret W. Little Baker. At the age of 3, Joyce's mother passed. Soon after, "Aunt Laura" became her and her sibling's caregiver.
She was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. During her early adult life, she walked to work as an employee at Ohio Lamp and Trumbull Lamp before her marriage to Richard A. Obertots.
She became a full-time devoted mother of five and assumed duties as secretary of the Howland Band Boosters and her bowling league.
While actively involved raising her children, she excelled as a homemaker and delighted all cooking her breaded chicken, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage and her unrivaled "nut roll" during the holiday seasons. Joyce also was an avid reader and provided her children with several sets of encyclopedias, science publications and magazines galore.
As her children began their own families, she became the "Grammy" upon whom all could depend for many years, as she lovingly cared for her grandchildren and others who cherished her motherly help.
Upon her husband's passing in 2001, she remained in her Howland home caring for her pets, tending to her flower baskets, reading, overcollecting QVC and HSN dolls, daily solving varieties of crossword puzzles while enjoying TV, watching sporting events of all kinds ... especially tennis, Steve Harvey and Judge Judy.
Perhaps above all during this time, it was her astonishing crocheting of infant clothing, blankets and gloves, bringing her joy, as she delighted in bestowing these as gifts for newborns and children of family and friends.
She remained in contact, almost daily, with her siblings and children by phone. She always remembered to send birthday cards to all she loved.
In 2022, without hesitation, during a time of greater need, her daughter Susan and son-in-law, David, generously opened their arms and home to her ... providing loving, safe and vigilant care.
In 2025, "Grammy" relocated to her "bachelorette pad" in assisted living at Shepherd of the Valley in Howland for her final days.
Throughout her life, Joyce, Mom, Grammy, maintained a demeanor of youthful innocence and optimism, her eyes always bright, full of curiosity and love.
She is now back Home with our Heavenly Father ... embraced in the loving Grace, Peace and Joy she is so worthy of.
Joyce is survived by her children, Richard M. (Emilia Kasputis) Obertots, Susan D. (David) Thomas, Nancy J. (Dave) Meeker, John E. Obertots, and Judith M. (Lynn) York; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Obertots; brothers, Bradford and Dudley J. Baker; sisters, Laura J. Williams, Phyllis A. Day and Mae E. Sigler; and aunts, Laura B. Little, Josephine Gilbert and Mae Carey.
Her family will commemorate her with a Celebration of Life at a future date.
Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Bazetta Township.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home.
(special notice)