Sarah Jean (Aldrich) Lesch died at age 96 on May 2 2, 2024 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she had lived for several years.
She was born April 9, 1928 to Howard and Lula (Nagle) Aldrich. Sarah graduated from Dunkirk High School (class of 1945) and attended the Fredonia Normal School for a year. On October 19, 1946 she married James Miller Lesch. They were the parents of five children: James (Richard LeRoy), of Rochester; Donna (Paul) Hale, of Richmond KY; Martha (Gary Wragge), of Fredonia; Barbara Hey-Cunningham, of Stanmore NSW Australia; and Bertha (James) Metzger, of Mayville.
Predeceasing her were her parents; husband; sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Alfred Vercant; brother-in-law, Billy Hurst; and son-in-law, David Hey-Cunningham.
Sarah was delighted by her 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Her sister, Mary Edith Hurst (Cyclone, PA), and many nieces and nephews also survive her.
Sarah was considerate and careful in raising her five children and assisting her husband, Jim, run the farm. She was patient, listened to others and shared her own viewpoint. Sarah had a delightful sense of humor.
Sarah enjoyed participating in Country Life Club, Home Bureau, and the Aldrich Family reunion. She volunteered behind the scenes at church, 4-H, and Brooks Memorial Hospital. Sarah was a lifelong Methodist, attentive to God through decades and was honored as a Layperson of the Year. Sarah had a deep sense of gratitude for her worship, Sunday School, women’s, prayer, and study groups. She sang in the choir for many life and so was in turn a source of blessing to others.
Calling hours will be Saturday June 1, 2024 at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, from 10 am-1 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Fredonia First Methodist Church, 25 Church St., Fredonia, Sunday June 2, 2024 at 1 pm. The family respectfully declines flowers. Memorial contributions in Sarah’s memory can be sent to the Fredonia First Methodist Church.
On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.