Verona F. Kish

BATH - Verona F. Kish, age 94, died Tuesday, Sept. 187, after a four year struggle with Alzheimer's. She was born Aug. 3 1913 in Tioga, West Virginia. She married Arnold Kish in 1932 and spent their married years in Dawmont, West Virginia where he worked in the coal mines. Her husband was killed in the mines in 1937 at the age of 27, leaving Verona with three small children to raise alone, all four years old and under.

Verona decided to move her family from the coal mining area of WV in 1942. She worked at Mercury Aircraft during WWII. She soon felt the need to be at home with her children and decided to persue a career in Hair Dressing. After completion of her schooling she opened her own "Verona's Beauty Shoppe" , in her home in 1946 at 24 Howell Street, Bath. She reluctantly retired after 54 years in 2000. Verona always credited her deep Faith in God for her many accomplishments in her life.

Verona was well known for her wonderful "Polish" cooking in the bath area. She chaired the "Polish Booth" at St. Mary's annual Country Fair for many, many years. She also became well known for her Polish Dinners at her granddaughter's restaurant, Celieto Lindo. When people kept asking when she was going to do another dinner, she'd gather a crew and start preparing another "Polish Night".

Verona was a volunteer at the Bath VA. She was instrumental in obtaining yarn for lap robes for the hospitalized veterans. She herself made hundreds of chest protectors (bibs) for the local veterans hospital and nursing home. She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Bath since 1942. She was a member of the Charles E. Wescott American Legion Auxiliary Post 173, V.F.W. Post 1470, and the Knights of Columbus Council 5147 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a longtime member of the Bath Business and Professsional Woman's Club, until the onset of her declining health. She was honored with the Business Woman of the Year in 1971.

In 1957 Verona won a local Courier Newspaper contest with her prize being a new 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Aire, a true PRIZE at that time. The car sat in her driveway for two weeks as she gathered nerve to drive this automatic transmission car.

Verona is survived by her three beloved children; Margaret (Roland) Baird of Hammondsport, Arnold (Helen) Kish of Bath and Joann (Richard) Palmer of Bath.

Also surviving her are her grandchildren; Richard (Joy) Palmer, Diane (Michael) Bly, Craig (Doreen) Palmer all of Bath, Jeffrey Palmer of Virginia, Linda and Cheri Baird of Hammondsport, Joseph Kish and Barbara (Donovan) Lawrence, of Bath. Survived also by her great grandchildren, Stacy Palmer, Brian Palmer, Gregory Palmer, Kristina B. Calafiore, Margaret Lott and Amy Jo Lott, Angela Bly, Kristopher Bly, Kyle Baird, Michael Peck and Blake Palmer. Great great grandson, Timothy Calafiore, who made Verona the head of a fifth generation. She will be greatly missed by her large, loving family and all who called her friend.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Mary's Church in Bath on Saturday, Sept.22, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Peter Anglaaere as celebrant assisted by Deacon Ray Defendorf. Burial was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport. Donations are greatfully accepted to a charity of one's choice.