Edna B. Tatko of Middle Granville passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009.
Edna was born June 30, 1916, in Granville, the daughter of Herbert and Adelaide (O’Brien) Beecher.
Edna graduated from Granville High School as valedictorian of her class. Edna had been a member of the Catholic Daughters for many years. She was a very devout Catholic. Edna played the organ and piano at church at various times over the years. Those who knew her would well remember her as a real entertainer. With the amazing ability to “play music by ear” she was always ready to strike up a tune to brighten the moment. Edna has taken the show on the road and is now playing to a larger audience. Edna had a wonderful sense of humor and added great fun to any occasion in which she found herself. Edna’s adventurous spirit included a tremendous love of flying, which was passed to her family. In her earlier years she could be found in the seat beside her son John, an accomplished pilot in his Bonanza and later on with her son Joe in the Jet Ranger helicopter.
Like many kind-hearted people, Edna was fond of animals. She collected many knick knacks that related to cats.
Edna married John Martin Tatko Sr. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Edna served as an officer and director at Tatko Bros. Slate Co., Sheldon Slate of Middle Granville and Monson, Maine. Upon the death of her husband, Edna worked as secretary in the office of Tatko Bros. Slate until she was unable to do so for health reasons.
Edna was predeceased by her husband, John, in 1984, her son James E. Tatko in 1979 and a sister Eleanor B. Kelley.
Survivors are her two sons, John M Tatko Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Middle Granville and Joseph D. Tatko and his best friend and companion Janet of Wells, Vt., and three daughters Anne T. Prezio and her husband Joseph A. Prezio M.D., of Chautauqua, N.Y., Mary T. DeMenno and her husband Michael of Pinehurst, N.C., and Joan T. Meegan and her husband Robert of East Amherst, N.Y., and her daughter-in-law (James’ wife) Paula M. Takto of Cape Cod, Mass. Edna was gifted with nine grandchildren: Lt. Cmdr. Gregory R. Lask, U.S.N., of Dubai, UAE, and Melissa A. Lask of East Amherst, N.Y., Dr. Elizabeth A. Prezio of Dallas, Texas, and Joseph A. Prezio, Jr. of Mansfield, Ohio, James (Carolyn) Tatko Jr. of Ambler, Pa., Jennifer Tatko of San Francisco, Calif., John M. (Nancy) Tatko III of Monson, Maine, Peter (Pamela) Tatko of Middle Granville, and Lisa (Richard) Louison of Windsor, Conn.; and 16 great grandchildren.
Calling hours were held on Monday, May 11, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Robert M King Funeral Home, 23 Church St. Granville. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 23 Bulkley Ave., Granville. Burial followed in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Middle Granville.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Edna’s nurses and caregivers: Kelly, Danielle, and Ann for their years of devoted care and love that made Edna’s days easier.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Haynes House of Hope or the Slate Valley Museum in Edna’s memory.
