Obituary of Maureen L. Van Slyke

Maureen L. Van Slyke, of Big Moose Lake, died on March 3, 2022. Maureen was born in Rome, NY, January 14, 1935, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Emma Morgan Vrooman. On September 3, 1955 she married Robert K. Van Slyke in St. John’s Church, Camden, NY. Maureen was a proud and happy Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother and enjoyed each of their visits to her home and camp at Big Moose Lake. Hand crafting special flannel shirts for all sizes. Maureen was a graduate of Camden Central School, Class of 1952. She studied organ and piano with Horace Douglas, Rome, organ with Arthur Poister at Syracuse University and Stephen Best, Utica, and voice with Pasquale Caputo, Utica. She also attended many National Church Music Conferences throughout the years. Maureen began a career as Church Organist/Cantor playing and singing music in Latin at daily Masses at age 11 at St. John’s Church, Camden. She gave her first solo organ recital at the age of 12 at churches in Rome, Utica and Watertown. She held many Director of Music positions in the Rome/Utica area including St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s, St. Mary’s and St. John’s Churches in Rome. She was the summer Director of Music at the Big Moose Community Chapel for 20 years. She oversaw a program of seven choirs while at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome for 20 years. Most recently 1998-2019 she was Organist and Choir Director at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Old Forge and St. Anthony’s Church, Inlet, where she was a member of the Parish Council. Maureen’s career in Music Ministry spanned 72 years. Maureen was a Literacy Volunteer of Basic Reading and English as a second language and organist for church services at two Correctional Institutions in the Rome/Utica area, a Confirmation Class Leader at St. Paul’s Church, Rome, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Cub Scout Leader. For many years Maureen was a piano and organ teacher in both Rome and Old Forge. As a volunteer Maureen accompanied many choral groups, instrumentalists and vocal soloists in the Central NY area including The Rome Civic Chorus, Hamilton College Oratorio Chorus, vocal Master Classes at Hamilton College, the Community Chorus at Old Forge, and many Rome vocal and instrumental students for NYSMA auditions. Maureen was a member of the Wednesday Morning Club of Rome, the American Guild of Organists, The B Sharp Musical Club of Utica, a Board Member of the Rome Art and Community Center, a member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter AU, the Syracuse Diocesan Music Committee, Teugega Country Club, Rome (3 holes-in-one), Friends of the Old Forge Library and the Young at Heart Senior Club, Inlet. Maureen enjoyed being with her family and especially all the grandchildren who were teaching her many new things to keep her up to date!!! She enjoyed sewing, knitting, smocking, golfing, playing bridge and mahjong and making rustic Adirondack Mirrors. Maureen is survived by her husband of 66 years, Robert, three sons – Michael - Old Forge, Mark (Penny Stuart) - of Lee Center & Eagle Bay, Paul (Ingrid) - Lake Placid & Big Moose, three daughters – Debora Van Slyke (Gregg) - Old Forge and Whitesboro , Barbara Hanlon (Christopher) - Whitesboro, Annette Mahoney (Jeffrey) - Old Forge and Step-Daughter Sara Van Slyke Palomba (James) – Herkimer also 13 very special grandchildren Andrea Duffy (Shawn) Cofrin – Clinton, Patrick Duffy (Madeline Marsack) - Big Moose, Erin Duffy – Omaha, HN-3 Ryan Duffy USN (Emily Shimp) – San Diego, CA, Mackenzi Van Slyke (Justin) Dishman - Rome, Kara Hanlon (Michael) Potucek - Derry NH. Alexandra Hanlon (Kelly) Starkweather Wilmington, NY, Melinda Mahoney (Garrett) Long - Sandy UT, Joshua Mahoney (Stephanie) - Boston MA, and Madeline Mahoney (Matt Dziekan) – Ballston Spa, Maris Van Slyke (Kyle Penny) - Lake Placid & Big Moose and Andrew Van Slyke – Lake Placid & Big Moose and step-grandson William Eissler – Pensacola, FL, six great grandchildren – Rhiannon & Remy Marie Cofrin of Clinton, NY, Tucker and Harper Long, Sandy Utah, John Christopher Potucek – Derry, NH., Aspen Jane Starkweather – Wilmington, NY and two step-great grandchildren James, Jr. and Brinley Palomba. Maureen was predeceased by her parents, infant son, David John, and three sisters. Dolores Maloy, Regina Moshaty and Karen Vrooman-Brownlie. A Mass of Christian Burial, Celebrant Msgr. John R. Murphy, Organist Brother Ed Bick, TOPSF, will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, Inlet, NY at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2022 followed by a reception at Duffy’s at The Glenmore in Big Moose. There will also be a Memorial Service at Big Moose Community Chapel during the summer. If you would like to make a Memorial Donation in Maureen’s name please consider: Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks (HASCA, Inc.), P. O. Box 25, Old Forge, NY 13420 or Siegenthaler Center Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Both helped with exceptional care for Maureen in her last months. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome.