Obituary of Ortha Louine Sibbitts

Ortha Louine Whitmore Sibbitts, 80, of Cty Rte 25, Canton, died Sunday, July 6, 2014 at her home while under the care of her loving family. Calling hours will be Tues, July 8th from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton. Her funeral will be celebrated on Wed, July 9th at 10:30 AM at Canton United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael H. Terrell as celebrant. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Ortha was born June 26, 1934, in Clayton, NY, a daughter of the late, Howard J. & Gladys E. (Grant) Whitmore. She graduated Canton High School in 1952 and in 1954 from Canton A.T.I. , where she was a A.X.O. Sorority Sister. She later worked for St. Lawrence University Dining Services for over 10 years. On April 2, 1955, she married Ronald Sibbitts at the Canton United Methodist Church and became a farmer’s wife. The couple ran the Sibbitts Farms on Cty Rte 21 from 1955-1997. She enjoyed raising her family on the farm. Ortha is survived by her beloved husband, Ronald of Canton; her two sons, Gary (Terry) Sibbitts of Kirkwood, MO and Paul (Patricia) Sibbitts of Canton; her three daughters, Marie (John) Montgomery of Auburn, Elaine (David P.) Noble of Potsdam and Gail (Jim) Steigerwald of Moravia; one brother, Merrill Whitmore of Dryden; 13 grandchildren, Jordan, Rob, Jay & Grace, David & Bryan, Erich, Alex & Patrick, Rebecca & Brandon and Elizabeth & Katherine; two great-grandchildren, Katy & Emily. She is also survived by numerous nieces & nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-mother, Inez Whitmore, sisters, Lois Elnina Bates, Clela Estes and (infant) Ruth Whitmore and a brother H. Calvin Whitmore. Ortha was an active member in Canton United Methodist Church, Canton United Methodist Women, UMW Books and Outlook Club, served on the Planning Committee for FLW Aldersgate, Canton Garden Club, was a Canton Seniors Member and was in the Walk to Emmaus Community. She was also a volunteer for Church & Community Program, a Sunday School Teacher, served on the Dairy Princess Committee (20 yrs), she was a 4-H Leader and Women’s Bowling League member. Ortha took great pride in her flower and vegetable gardens, was a cook extraordinaire, loved her family dearly and most of all had a strong faith in the Lord. It is the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to either the Ron & Ortha Sibbitts Campership Fund at the Canton United Methodist Church, 41 Court Street, Canton, NY or to the St. Lawrence County Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 291, Canton, NY 13617. Additional off-street parking is available courtesy of “Travel Unlimited”.