Check out our new cemetery presentation!
Our new PowerPoint show offers a top-level view of the cemetery, the challenges we face, and ideas/steps for meeting those challenges. Board of Trustees President John Hoeschele will be happy to give this presentation at Cortland-area group gatherings (clubs, community groups, churches, etc.) To schedule a time/date, email him at contact@cortland-rural-cemetery.com
Help keep our non-proft cemetery beautiful!
Why we're in rough shape -- and what you can do to help!
We know our beautiful cemetery is not in the best shape, but the reasons for this are many and complicated. If you are frustrated, as we are, pitch in to help! (To learn more, click here.)
Special thanks!
We would like to offer a special thank you to the Cortland Community Foundation for this summer's generous and much-needed grant of $8000 toward cemetery road repairs! To learn more about this important Foundation, click the logo below.
Recent Photos
Margaret Gibson (Nov. 2, 1925 - Jan. 22, 2013)
Longtime civic-minded Ithaca resident Margaret I. Gibson, also known as “Gibby”, died January 22, 2013, after a short illness. The daughter of Alfred L. and Edith R. Gibson, Margaret was born November 2, 1925, in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. One of six children, she emigrated from Canada to the United States with her family in 1933. She graduated from Cortland High School and attended Southern Seminary in Virginia n/k/a Southern Virginia University. Her first job was at G.L.F. (Grange League Federation) in Ithaca, working in publications and marketing. She also worked for Babcock Poultry Farm and Rumcill Advertising Agency of Rochester, NY. In 1965, Gibby became the first Director of Publications at Ithaca College. Coming to the college in its early years on South Hill, she helped it grow into the institution it is today. She oversaw all print and marketing materials and designed the College Seal, which is still used, to celebrate the
institution’s 75th anniversary. Retired from Ithaca College in 1988, Gibby is still remembered as the person who, at a critical time in the institution’s history, helped craft the image of the college. Margaret’s community work is legendary. It could be raising money for a garden space for seniors, or helping to develop a preschool program for children with autism, she wanted to make a difference. Her love for both the Cortland and Ithaca community inspired her to provide leadership for a host of organizations. Gibby served on many boards, including The Ladies Union Benevolent Society, The 1890 House Museum, The Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation, and Franziska Racker Centers where she also co-chaired the “Making Room” Capital Campaign, helping to surpass the $ 3.5 million goal. She touched the lives of so many through her charity work. Among the many organizations she championed were: Friends of Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cayuga Medical Center, the McGraw House, The 1890 House Museum, The Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation, the YWCA of Cortland, St. John’s Episcopal Church, The Kitchen Theatre, and Franziska Racker Centers. Gibby’s philanthropic spirit was honored with many awards, including the SUNY Cortland Presidential Philanthropy Medal and the 2003 AFP Philanthropist of the Year Award. She will be remembered as a little lady with a big heart, a great sense of enthusiasm for life, and a wicked sense of humor. Margaret is survived by her brother Thomas (Ruth) Gibson of Cortland, many nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Jean E. Gibson Suarez of Cincinnatus and Mary E. Gibson Sterling of Arizona, and her brothers Murray O. Gibson of Connecticut and Charles A. Gibson of Cortland. Funeral Services were held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 210 North Cayuga St., Ithaca on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Interment will be private at the Cortland Rural Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be directed to some of her favorite charities: Franziska Racker Centers, 3226 Wilkins Rd., Ithaca; St. John’s Episcopal Church, 210 North Cayuga St., Ithaca; The 1890 House Museum, 37 Tompkins St., Cortland, or The Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation, P.O. Box 288, Cortland (for your convenience, donations to the CRCF can also be made online, here.)