Louise Clemens Mccord

McCord, Louise Clemens, 1938 - 2014, of Copake, New York, died suddenly at her home on December 6th.

The joy of Louise's life was helping wherever help was needed.

She was a dedicated and adored 2nd grade teacher at Roeliff Jansen Central School (later Taconic Hills Central School) from 1966 until her retirement in 1994. "Retirement" for Louise meant she was free to volunteer for many groups and programs. She was a long-time volunteer for the Community Ride Program in Columbia County, and the Berkshire Humane Society's summer camp for kids program.

Her life-long love of dogs brought her enormous happiness, from training in obedience (achieving the coveted Utility Dog title in obedience competition with one of her many dearly-loved Golden Retrievers, Honey) to training for therapy work with several of her Goldens. She and her Goldens did Therapy Dog visits to nursing homes, hospitals, Veterans' homes and Hospice, many on a weekly basis. She also did weekly Therapy Dog visits to Pre-Kindergarten and special education classrooms at Taconic Hills, as well as the monthly Dogs Love Books program for children at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library with her Golden, Cookie. She was always there to help with fundraising events for local humane societies and other charities.

She was an active member of the Great Barrington Kennel Club for over 35 years. She was the recipient of numerous awards and citations for her volunteer work over the years, including the New York State Office for the Aging Columbia County 2014 Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Award, for which she received a Citation from the New York State Assembly in May of this year.

She is survived by her brother, Herbert Weymouth McCord and her sister-in-law, Judi McCord, of Naples, Florida, her nephew, Michael Stewart McCord (Elizabeth) of Annapolis, Maryland, her niece, Jennifer Louise McCord Smith (Nea), of Long Island, New York, 3 great nieces, Vivian Lynton McCord, Abigail Louise Smith and Emily Rose Smith, as well as her beloved rescued Golden Retriever, Cookie, and kitties, Chablis and Merlot.

She is predeceased by her parents, Frank Post McCord and Alice Weymouth McCord.

Memorial donations may be made to the Roe Jan Food Pantry (c/o Lois Edelman, P.O. Box 343 Hillsdale, NY 12529), Roeliff Jansen Community Library (9091 Route 22, Hillsdale, NY 12529), Berkshire Humane Society (214 Barker Rd., Pittsfield, MA 01201), or Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue (234 Morrell Rd., #118, Knoxville, TN 37919-5876). A memorial service is being planned for spring. Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake NY.

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