Elsie Elliot Glendenning

Elsie Elliot Glendenning, age 96 years, peacefully passed away July 25, 2025, surrounded by her children.  Elsie’s journey on this earth was marked by kindness, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to her family, friends, and community.

Born in Binghamton, NY Elsie grew up in the small town of Greene, NY. As a young girl she would ride her bicycle to help her grandparents on their farm. She graduated from Greene Central High School in 1947 as part of a close-knit class where she enjoyed being in the school plays and cheerleading squad. Elsie earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from RIT in 1951.  She maintained a lifelong affection for her hometown and visited there frequently.  Elsie met her husband Jim working at the local movie theater in Greene, where she was the ticket taker and Jim the projectionist.  They married and moved to Rochester, NY in 1954. 

Elsie had a passion for helping people. In the mid 1960’s she joined the staff at the Gates Volunteer Ambulance Service.  Working as a dispatcher, she promoted the idea for woman to become drivers and eventually working medics.  She also encouraged the use of CPR in a moving vehicle.  In sharing her first aid skills and knowledge, she taught many first aid courses to others. She retired from GVAS in 1991. GVAS dedicated their new training facility on Elmgrove Road in her honor in July of 2011.

Elsie volunteered for many years as a member of the STEP/EMS council, improving emergency services and communications of first responder organizations.  She also maintained at STEP a history of this region’s EMS service organizations.

As a devoted member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Elsie served in the vestry and sang weekly in the choir.  She dedicated herself to helping others in any way she could. 

Elsie’s extended family meant the world to her.  She would organize Elliot family reunions for many years, making sure the clan stayed connected from around the country. 

Upon her husband’s retirement in the 1983, Elsie and Jim took-to the road often, travelling throughout the beautiful country in their RV. They loved visiting everyone they could along the way.

May Elsie’s soul have everlasting peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire kindness, helpfulness and compassion in the world.

Elsie is predeceased by her husband James Allen Glendenning, and is survived by son Robert Glendenning, daughters Karen Licata and Katherine Glendenning; grandchildren Joanna Licata, Sara (Jeff) Irrig, Steven Scheidt and Martin Scheidt; sister, Carol Chamberlain; nephews & nieces, David (MaryAnn) Chamberlain, Daniel (Tina) Chamberlain, Suzanne (Mark) Riggs, Shirley (Robert) Johnson and many grand and great grandnieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to call on August 1, 2025, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at James R. Gray Funeral Home, 1530 Buffalo Rd., Gates, NY 14624. Donations in her memory can be made to the Gates Volunteer Ambulance Service.

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