Obituary of Jessie F. Baum

CANASTOTA . . . Jessie F. Baum, 87, of 8550 Hertel Road, Canastota, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at her home, following complications of a stroke in May. She was born on January 15, 1936, in Chittenango Station, the daughter of the late Edward and Beulah (Bixby) Smith. Jessie spent her early years in Cato, attending the Cato-Meridian Central Schools. She later lived in Baldwinsville, Fulton, Deltona, FL, and Rock Hill, SC, before moving to Canastota in 2020. She worked at General Electric in Syracuse for eleven years, and later retired from Radisson Health Center in Baldwinsville. Jessie enjoyed gardening, flowers, bird watching, and spending time with her family. She married Donald E. Baum on July 21, 1953, in Euclid, NY. This year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Surviving besides her husband, Donald, are: three sons, Donald L. and Darlene Baum of Raleigh, NC, Raymond and Beverly Baum of Canastota and Troop, NY, and Howard Baum of Mocksville, NC; two daughters, Kathryn and Michael Timmler of Canastota, and Brenda Baum Dausman of Clover, SC; nine grandchildren, Donald L. Baum, Jr., Jaclyn Harvard, Catherine Rau, William Cobb, Jr., Amanda Lester, Christopher VanAntwerp, Janelle Addington, Stephanie Scanlon, and Heather Scanlon; twenty-one great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jessie was predeceased by one son, David Baum; two brothers, Howard Smith, and Edward Smith; and three sisters, Lucy Hammond, Rita Seelinger, and Dorothy Tuzinski. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Donna Chapman of the Whitelaw Presbyterian Church will officiate. In her memory, contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413, with envelopes available at the funeral home.