Lois Jean Kurgan VanDette

Lois was born Dec. 1, 1957 in Westfield, New York. She is the daughter of Zona Mawhir Kurgan and the late Paul Kurgan. And also predeceased by Aunt Eleanor and Uncle John May and Aunt June and Uncle Howard Ferguson. She considered herself a life long resident of Fredonia. She was a 1976 graduate of Fredonia High School.

She worked at her parents’ businesses, which included a grape farm, the Shearer’s men’s clothing stores and the Fireside Manor Restaurant. She was also employed as a waitress and bartender at numerous establishments in the Dunkirk and Fredonia area and worked for Chautauqua CARTS and COI until 2004.

Early on, Lois learned how to garden. She won many accolades for her skills, resulting in a wall full of ribbons she received for the flowers she entered at the Chautauqua County Fair. Her specialty was ornamental lilies. Her favorite hymn was “In the Garden.” “If you read the words, you’ll know why I like it,” she would say.

Lois was a member of the Chadwick Bay Garden Club and enjoyed camping at DJ’s Campground.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas VanDette. They were married Sept. 25, 1999 on a boat owned by cousins Elaine and Jerry Weiss off Sheridan Bay in a ceremony officiated by Justice David Prince. She is also survived by “Captain Kidd”, their beloved Shih Tzu.

Her surviving brothers and sisters include Linda (John) Monaco, Lu Ann (Charles) Civiletto, Thomas (Vicki) Kurgan and Floyd (Susan) Kurgan. She is also survived by nieces and nephews Charles (Chrissy) Civiletto, Katie (fiancÈ Jared Stenger) Civiletto and Aspen, Cullen and Ivy Kurgan, Alex Kurgan and Rian, Kimberly, Tomy and great-nieces Finley Belle Kurgan and Serafina Civiletto, Aunt Janet (Lloyd) Scott, Uncle Don (Beryl) Kurgan and numerous cousins.

Surviving in-laws include Thomas (Joan) VanDette and family, Dennis (Judy) VanDette and family, William VanDette and family and loving step-son John, wife Lauren and children Gwendolyn and Annelise O’Connell.

In addition to her father, she is also preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Phyllis Van Dette and her father-in-law, Thomas VanDette.

She leaves behind a special group of friends; Terry Grace Madison, Linda Lord Duckworth, Debbie Richmond, Linda Miller, Sally Graves, Paul and Darlene Testa, Dodie Baker, Sue Walker, Curtis and Debbie Loveless, Barb Kosierb and Carole Centner.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock in the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. The Rev. James Witherington Jr., Hospice Chaplain, will serve as the officiant. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in her memory be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care.