Obituary of Dolores W. Cornish

Dolores Ann Waters Cornish, a lifelong resident of Rome, passed away very peacefully on April 10, 2023 at the age of 94.

Surviving are two sons, Steven P. Cornish of Baldwin, NY and Scott P. Cornish of New Hartford, NY, a daughter, Beth A. Cornish of Rome, a daughter-in-law Elizabeth Burnell Cornish of Baldwin, NY, a granddaughter, Jennifer E. Bleiler (Zachary) of Palmyra, PA and two grandsons, Andrew J. Sciulli of Maryland and Samuel M. Cornish of Baldwin, NY.  Dolores is predeceased by her husband, Frank L. Cornish of Rome (d.2008) and her sons, Kevin C. Cornish (d.2018) and Brian F. Cornish (d.2021). 

Born on October 17, 1928, Dolores was the daughter of John Clinton and Mary Burns Waters of Rome and grew up on Cherry Street.  She had three brothers, John (Jack) Waters, Donald J. (Jim) Waters and Robert (Leo) Waters.  Having attended the Academy of Holy Names in Rome, graduating in 1946, Dolores furthered her education at the Utica School of Commerce, graduating in 1948.  Dolores was employed at Revere Copper & Brass in Rome as an accounting technician from 1948 to 1956, where she met her husband, Frank.  They were married on June 25, 1955 at St. Peter’s Church in Rome, and had their reception at The Beeches and their honeymoon in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Dolores was an avid reader all her life, and having lived close in her youth to the Jervis Public Library she spent many hours there trying to read every book she could.  She also loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzle each Sunday afternoon (in ink!) and the Jumble puzzles in the Rome Daily Sentinel.  In her youth, she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents in Waterville, NY, and later in life often enjoyed vacation trips with Frank to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Always proud of her Irish heritage and with her Irish eyes always smiling, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in August 2001 with her son Steven, his wife Elizabeth and their son Sam.  She served as a volunteer in the CCD and Meals on Wheels programs at St. Paul’s Parish.  Over the years, Dolores was a big fan of the New York Yankees baseball team, the Syracuse University Orangemen basketball team and The Ohio State University women’s field hockey team, on which her granddaughter Jennifer played.  She also kept her mind active nightly watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Dolores and her family wish to express their sincerest thanks to Dr. Brian Alessi of Rome for his outstanding service to Dolores during her life and to Dr. Ryan Persaud and the staff at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY for their exceptional care for Dolores in her final days.  Thanks are also expressed to Kathy Harvey and Caroline Wilson who served as at-home care givers for Dolores in her last 6 months.

She also sends her gratitude and love to her husband Frank whose larger-than-life personality still resonated over the years, to Kevin for his quiet comfort in life, to Brian for his dedication to family and friends, to Steven for his creativity and imagination, to Scott for his sense of humor and passion for music, and to Beth for her tireless caring and generosity in support of the Cornish family.  And of course, she sends her greatest love and wishes for wonderful lives to her three grandchildren, Jennifer, Andrew and Sam.

Visitation for Dolores will take place on Friday, May 5 beginning at 10:30 am at St. Paul’s Church, Rome followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am.  After the funeral mass, she will be buried next to Frank in the Evergreen Cemetery, Rome, and a luncheon will be held to celebrate her life. 

Family and friends are asked to kindly make donations in Dolores’ name to the Jervis Public Library, Rome or to the charity of their choice.

Arrangements have been  entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome NY 13440.

You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com