Obituary of Ernestine V Baumann

Ernestine Baumann, 76, of Lee Center, NY, left us early Sunday, April 16^th. Erna was born in New York City and spent childhood weekends upstate in Washingtonville and Pine Bush, NY. She obtained a BS degree at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse and moved to Rome to begin her teaching career at Oriskany high school. Erna taught biological sciences at several CNY school districts before taking a hiatus to work with the Tug Hill Commission in northern NY. Later, with a Master’s degree, she returned to her true calling: working with young people as a guidance counselor in Syracuse and Rome. She is well-known and well-remembered for her passionate devotion to her students; rendering support and encouragement to one and all. Erna was also active with the ESF Alumni Association Board of Directors and reviewed many scholarship applications.

Erna loved the outdoors; as children, camping and climbing in the Adirondacks was a source of great joy. The family also vacationed throughout New England and, as an adult, Erna fell in love with the rocky coast of Maine. She bought a house in Beals, a fishing village on Great Wass Island, ‘downeast’ Maine, where she has summered for over 30 years. Welcomed by the community, being at Beals was her idea of heaven. To her, nothing was better than getting together with friends. Erna’s great love of cats began with a kitten named Fang 55 years ago and continued over her lifetime. She always said, “You can’t have just one.” And she had many.

Erna is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Henri Hamel and Carl Snow of Cazenovia, NY, Theresa Rosenberry, her honorary daughter, and cousins in Austria, Wales, and Colorado.

She will be sorely missed by her family and by multitudes of good friends.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

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.