Mary E. Rankin

Mary Elizabeth Rankin of Easton, MD, a former classical vocalist, died Monday March 10, 2008 at Memorial Hospital at Easton. She was 84. Mrs. Rankin was born to Floyd and Goldie Hummon on March 24, 1923, in Clayton, Michigan. Her life-long love of music began at the age of five as a member of a family quartet and extended throughout her adult life. Her career included performing as a concert/opera singer and church soloist, teaching voice, and serving as choir director at the East Aurora Christian Church in East Aurora, NY. She began her college career at the University of Michigan in the early 1940’s, but it was interrupted by marriage, WWII, and raising a family. At the age of 65, she achieved her long-held desire to finish her college degree, earning a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in music from SUNY Empire State College. She married Edward H. Rankin on May 5, 1944. They were residents of East Aurora, NY, from 1958-1995, and then retired to Easton, MD. Mrs. Rankin was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Easton. Mrs. Rankin is survived by her loving husband, Edward H. Rankin; two daughters, Beth Kilss and her husband Roy of Springfield, VA, and Laura Rankin of Kennebunk, ME; a daughter-in-law, Nanette Rankin of Council, Idaho; two step-grandsons, Nick and Brendan Bannon; five grandchildren, Chad Rankin and his wife Jenn, Sarah Rankin and her husband Marc Pevoto, Gretchen Hill and her husband Ben, Adam Kilss, and Jeffrey Kilss; four great-grandchildren, Tyler Rankin, Ashley Rankin, Ryan Pevoto, and Audrey Hill; one sister, Jan Rankin; three brothers, Serge Hummon and his wife Doris, Norman Hummon and his wife Frances, and John Hummon and his wife Jean; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Edward C. Rankin Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Wood Funeral Home, 784 East Main Street, East Aurora, NY, 14052 where friends may call on Friday evening from 6-8 PM. Burial will be at Cowlesville Cemetery, Cowlesville, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UNICEF, United States Fund for UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038, by calling 1-800-4UNICEF or by going to www.unicef.org. Local arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD.