Verna M. Osterhout

September 14, 1924 - November 3, 2016

Verna M. Osterhout, age 92, a life-long resident and musical pillar of Northville, passed away peacefully on Thursday November 3, 2016 at the River Ridge Living Center in Amsterdam. She was born in Amsterdam, NY on September 14, 1924 and was the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Elsie Sarno Osterhout. "Miss O" was a 1946 graduate of the Crane School of Music in Potsdam with a Masters degree in Music Education. After student teaching and working in Tupper Lake, she moved to Northville in 1950 where she served as a music teacher for Northville Central School for over 30 years, retiring from teaching in 1981. She was a devout member of the Baptist Church of Northville where in 1960, she began faithfully serving the Lord as the Music Director and Organist. She continued in that capacity, and after 36 years of loving service, retired in 1997. Although officially retiring, she continued to serve the church and community for several more years. She also served at Sacandaga Bible Conference for many years as the Music Director and was also a member of the NYS Retired Teachers Association. Verna is survived by her niece, Michele Gilroy, and her husband Tom along with her nephew, CDR Carl Herron, SC, USN (ret), and his wife Kathryn. She also has a great niece, Elizabeth, and two great nephews, Christopher and Daniel, all children of Michele and Tom. She was predeceased by her loving friend Florence I. “Flossie” Spencer on April 3, 2006. Family and friends are invited to help celebrate her life on Saturday November 5, 2016 with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Baptist Church of Northville where a funeral service will be held in the sanctuary at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Northville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Church of Northville, with the designation to be used for Music or their music department, the Sacandaga Bible Conference, or to the Verna M. Osterhout Scholarship Fund for high school graduates who plan to go into the music field. Information for the scholarship will be available on the funeral home website. Arrangements are by the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.