Schlesing, Emma A.

Went to be with our Lord on April 8^th, 2023.

Emma was predeceased by her parents Alida (Potter) Tittle Bancroft and Peter R. Tittle, brothers Francis, Milton, and Robert Bancroft, and sister-in-law Glenna Bancroft.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Raymond, her children Cynthia (Thomas) Heagerty and Rodney (Kim) Schlesing, as well as her brother Frank (Anne) Bancroft, sisters-in-laws Darlene Bancroft and Lea Bancroft.

Emma grew up in the hamlet of Cheshire, New York.  Upon her high school graduation, she moved to Rochester where she had jobs at Love’s Candy and Ice Cream and Stecher-Traung Litho Company.  She met Ray in 1953 on a double date.  Emma was paired with Ray’s best friend and Ray with Emma’s best friend.  Ray and Emma then dated and were officially engaged April 1, 1955 and married October 29, 1955.

Emma endured many challenges through her life, but also enjoyed plenty of good things.  While most people may have thought her to be mild and reserved, her family knew her to be a woman of incredible strength and fortitude.  When she was only four months old, her father died in a car crash.  As a little girl, she survived both the Whooping Cough and a severe case of Poison Ivy.  As a young woman, she protected her mother in a sometimes turbulent household and provided food, money and clothing to the family.  Her late sister-in-law said her brothers always “held her up on a pedestal”, in high esteem.  Emma was a devoted wife and mother.  Her family was her life.  She was a gentle soul who was the strength of the home.  Ray worked hard and was the typical husband of the 1950’s, but Emma, in her quiet way, guided her family.  She helped care for Ray’s mother early in their marriage.  Once children came along, she concentrated on her own family.  As her children grew, she worked at the Penfield High School and Crosman Seeds.  Emma and Ray had fun taking the family camping.  First in tents, then with different trailers over the years, eventually having a camp in Branchport near Keuka Lake, where they spent many pleasant weekends.  Emma and Ray enjoyed Square Dancing, belonging to the “Copy Cats” and “Genesee Dancers”, eventually becoming Co-Presidents of both clubs.  Emma and Ray had the opportunity to take trips with the Xerox Pioneer Club, two cruises and road trips to other states.  Emma always had a special bond with her (father’s) relatives in Pennsylvania and looked forward to visiting.

Words on a page cannot even begin to express our love, respect and adoration for one so precious as Emma!  Heaven is a better place with you in it, and we are all better people for having known you!

A private service and burial will be held for Emma.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Lollypop Farm, Mercy Flight or the Fairport Baptist Home.  These organizations held a special place in her heart.  Emma and Ray always had and loved dogs, especially Cocker Spaniels.  Mercy Flight is located on the Brickyard Road in Canandaigua.  Emma once lived on the Brickyard Road in her youth.  The Fairport Baptist Home provided Emma with great care when she broke her hip several years ago.