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RFH 2010, Passings

Ann Cochran's Walk In Village Ends; Those Who Walked Alongside Her Miss Her

Mon, Mar 22, 2010

Regardless of the time of year and no matter the weather, Ann Cochran spent part of most every morning walking through the community she loved ... with friends she loved. She died on Sunday, and her friends recall what she did for them and the community.

Most of the stories begin with the teller talking about having walked with Ann Cochran, a former professor at Morrisville State College and longtime prominent Hamilton resident who died Sunday after a protracted illness. And, most of those stories end with how Mrs. Cochran helped them, often through a rough patch or by helping unknot a personal problem.

Many of those folks were part of a large crowd who gathered at the Seven Oaks Clubhouse Monday night to visit Mrs. Cochran's family and pay their respects. Her husband John, a retired Colgate chemistry professor, and their children Eric and Jill and their families greeted every one in the line that stretched throughout the clubhouse.

Those at the gathering, to a person, said Mrs. Cochran was an essential part of community. She was very involved with the Mid-York Family Health Center and Hamilton's Community Memorial Hospital. She also served on the board of the Mid-York Foundation and the board Morrisville State College's foundation.

Nancy Heck was one of those in line Monday when she recounted her first meeting with Mrs. Cochran. It was in front of the Colgate Inn and Heck had her daughter Stacy in a stroller.

"She stopped and said, 'What a beautiful child. May I hold her?'" Despite being surprised that someone she did not know would ask to hold her child, Nancy said yes. Stacy is now 39 and Heck and Mrs. Cochran remained close friends all that time.

Heck was, like many people in the community, on Mrs. Cochran's long list of walking buddies. Regardless of the weather, Mrs. Cochran -- usually with several other women at her side -- made a regular loop through the village. Heck said she was one of those walkers for about three years.

Denise Stillwagon Leone, who taught at Morrisville during some the years Mrs. Cochran was on the faculty there, recalled that her last conversation with her was during a three-mile walk the two took.

"She was always interested in what was happening in Hamilton and also with you," said Leone.

Nick Rhyde agreed. He was a student of Mrs. Cochran's during the time he attended Morrisville College, and said she helped him sort through personal problems. He said their connection strengthened when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Dr. Merrill Miller was at Seven Oaks Monday, and was sought out by those who arrived with condolences. Dr. Miller recalls meeting Mrs. Cochran when she was part of the medical team in Syracuse treating her son Todd (who died in 1980) for leukemia. Sometimes they would come to Hamilton for the treatments and that is how she came to know Mrs. Cochran, who would become her best friend.

"It was always about you," said Dr. Miller. "About the other person. Ann was always concerned about the other person."

There will be a gathering at the Colgate Chapel at 4 p.m. on May 8 to celebrate Mrs. Cochran's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Ann P. Cochran Education Fund of the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Before the gathering, we asked a number of Hamilton folks about their friendships with Mrs. Cochran and what she meant not just to them, but to the village.

Chuck Fox, manager of the Hamilton Theater

Ann and I served together on the board at Chenango Nursery School wa-a-a-y-y back, and then collaborated on a number of projects over the years both informally and through her involvement with the Mid-York Foundation. 

Ann was a true advocate and supporter of all things Hamilton, especially where it involved those in need. 

She had her finger on the pulse of the community, and would take time to let people know that she recognized and appreciated their efforts, large and small, on behalf of our community. She frequently encouraged me on stuff in which I was involved, and most recently was a big advocate of the bike project. Her leadership role at the Mid-York Foundation gave her a vehicle for supporting a whole range of community initiatives in a very tangible way.

There are some people who help to shape the character of this community in a special way. Ann was one of those people.

Mayor Sue McVaugh

How can it be that we will no longer see Ann, in all weather, walking around the Spring Street block? She was such an important resident of the Village - tremendously supportive of others. Her work on the Mid-York Foundation benefited us all.

David Felton, President & CEO of Community Memorial Hospital

Ann was a great friend and community leader who was a very thoughtful and caring individual.  Ann will be missed by many.  Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family.

Mary Carol Yoshino

Ann was just one of those people that you feel you knew all of your life. I met her 20 years ago. She was always interested in you, your life, your family, your plans and it was genuine. She never saw me or my children without heaping tons of praise on them.

She loved people for who they were; there was always something positive she had to say about everyone. She found something good in all people and all things. She loved her family, her grandchildren and her most special friend Dr. Merrill Miller. They were the closest friends to each other I have ever known.

Ann loved baseball, especially her beloved Dodgers. In her kitchen she has a wonderful old picture of the team. I remember my husband and me going to a Syracuse baseball game with Ann, John and Merrill. Probably one of my most favorite times out with friends.

She changed life in a positive way for anyone that came her way. She always took the time to give advice or just to listen. She was a professor and influenced many students towards a rewarding future.

The last time I saw Ann was when I took dinner over to her when I heard she was going through treatments again. Though she looked tired sitting on the sofa, there was not one negative word about her illness instead she wanted to know how my children were and what they were doing or going to do. She brushed off her illness saying, "I am doing fine, just a little tired. I will be better soon".

God broke the mold after He made Ann. I will think of her and miss her the rest of my life.

Raymond Cross, President of Morrisville State College

Ann was a wonderful teacher - her students loved her.  She made sure she knew her students personally and that they knew she would advocate on their behalf.  Additionally, she was personally committed to helping the college in any way possible.  She served on the Foundation Board for a few years after she retired and she tirelessly promoted the college to anyone who would listen.

One Saturday morning not too long after I came to Morrisville she called me and asked me to come over for "breakfast and a walk" with former Colgate President and SUNY Chancellor Tom Bartlett. We all enjoyed a wonderful breakfast after which Tom and I took off for a walk around Hamilton. Ann never missed an opportunity to help me, her students, or the college in any way possible.

We were so sorry to learn of her passing - we will all miss her very much.

 

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