BERNE — Viola “Vi” Ladock of Berne “gained her angel wings” the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Schuyler Ridge Residential Healthcare, her family wrote in a tribute. She was 92.

Born on Aug. 27, 1932, at her family’s home on Bozenkill Road in Altamont, she was the daughter of the late Orville and Ada VanBuren.

“She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse with her brothers and sisters,” her family wrote. “She was proud to have earned her General Education Diploma the same year her daughter graduated from high school.

“She worked for the Department of Taxation and Finance for over 20 years until her retirement. She continued to work into her 80s most notably at The Altamont Enterprise and The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Home.

“Vi married Frank Wood Jr. from 1956 until his death in 1972. She later married Edward Ladock in 1975 until his death in 1988.

“Vi enjoyed traveling with her family. She accomplished one of her dreams when she visited the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. She also loved visiting the ocean in Maine.

“Vi adored her family. Whether it was a family get-together or a Little League game, she made every effort to attend. She also loved a good fish fry, especially from Ted’s Fish Fry.

“Animals held a special place in her heart. She was an animal whisperer and animals always gravitated towards her, especially when she would ‘accidentally’ drop a morsel (or three) from her plate. Of all the animals, cats were her favorite. She had a very special bond with her 20-year-old cat, Sandy.

“Her family is left behind to cherish her memory.”

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Viola Ladock is survived by her children, Terri Clum and John Wood; grandchildren, Tommy Clum, Bethany (Brent Thomas) Smith, Kristen Jarrett, Nicole (Travis Liebenow) Wood, Tiffany (Jimmy Cooper) Loika, and Rhea (Norman) Varin; her sister, Judy Kolanchick; her 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her two special nephews, Randy Bashwinger and family with whom she resided for many years, and Ron Rue.

Her parents, Orville and Ada VanBuren, died before her, as did her siblings, Ralph, Jesse, Herman, and Harold VanBuren; Helen Rivenburgh, and Shirley Pendergast.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont.

Memorial messages may be left at https://altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to Schuyler Ridge Residential Healthcare, 1 Abele Boulevard, Clifton Park, NY 12065 or to Estherville Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833.