Mary F. Putnam

ILION - On the morning of December 24th, 2025, Mary F. Putnam of Ilion, New York passed away at the age of 89 at the Siegenthaler Center in New Hartford, NY with her loving family by her side. She was born as an identical twin in Cortland, NY on March 29th, 1936, to Russell and Marian Tinkham. Mary grew up on a country farm in the Finger Lakes area, close to Skaneateles Lake. She attended Scott Union School, then graduated from Homer High School in 1953, where she played the clarinet in the band. She graduated from S.U.N.Y. Cortland in 1956, earning a four-year degree in three years, just two months after her 20th birthday. After graduation, she began teaching in Ballston Spa, where she taught for four years. She then taught in the Utica school district for one year.

On May 28th,1960, Mary married Joseph Putnam of Ilion, NY. They had two daughters, Karen and Katherine. In 1965, Mary began teaching elementary school in the Ilion school district. She taught at the Weber Avenue, Barringer Road, and West Hill schools. In 1985, Mary graduated from Herkimer County Community College with an A.A.S. in Data Processing. She then became the first K-3 teacher in Ilion to introduce her students to computers. In 1988, Mary was presented with the “Excellence in Teaching Award”. She retired a few years later, after teaching for 30+ years.

Mary was very involved in her community. She completed 1000 volunteer hours with the Ilion Hospital Auxiliary, including serving as a Secretary, Vice President, and President-elect before the hospital closed. Mary was a member of the Historical Club of Ilion since 2004, which included doing research, writing papers, and serving as a past Secretary, Vice President, and President. Mary was also a member of the Friends of the Ilion Public Library for many years and served as a past Secretary and President. Finally, Mary was a long-time member of the Annunciation Church, where she enjoyed volunteering and taking trips with the Catholic Daughters.

After her retirement, Mary became an avid hiker and member of the Finger Lakes Trail Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club, along with her twin sister Margaret. Together, they persevered through rain, rocks, streams, injuries, bugs, and wild animals to complete their hikes. In 1995, they completed the 558-mile Finger Lakes Trail. A year later, they also completed all of the branch trails for a total of 786 miles. They were officially the 6th and 7th hikers to accomplish this, and the first women to do so. In 2003, they completed hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia, for a total of 2,160 miles. They also hiked all 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks with elevations over 4,000 feet, hiked the 133-mile Northville-Placid Trail, and completed the ADK Fire Tower Challenge.

In addition to hiking, Mary had many other interests, talents, and hobbies. She was an avid watercolor painter for many years, participating in art shows, winning awards, and even selling some of her paintings. She also enjoyed cake decorating, baking, gardening, knitting, and crossword puzzles. Mary spent many years doing genealogy research and was delighted when she found the “missing link” that confirmed she was a Mayflower descendant. She was also thrilled to travel to Ireland to see where her grandmother and great-grandparents had lived.

Mary loved doing things with her family. She was a fantastic storyteller with the ability to create never-ending tales, to the delight of her children and grandchildren. She was also a proud grandmother who shared many of her interests with her grandchildren. She taught them how to read, paint, do arts and crafts, garden, and bake. She also especially enjoyed the annual extended family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, when relatives traveled from multiple states to attend. Mary will be greatly missed.

Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Karen and David Freed, Katherine and Michael Durant; grandchildren: Jessica and Jonathan Freed, Gregory Durant; sister Margaret Watrous; brothers: James Tinkham, John Tinkham; sisters-in law: Michelle Tinkham, Joan Tinkham, Carol (Putnam) Power; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Joseph Putnam; parents Russell and Marian (Hudson) Tinkham; parents-in-law Leo and Alice Putnam; sister Barbara Bishop; and brothers-in-law: Malcolm Watrous, John Bishop, and Dr. Younger L. Power.

As per Mary’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral arrangements, only a private burial in the Spring of 2026. 

Her family is very thankful for the genuine care and concern offered by the staff at Hospice and Palliative Care, Siegenthaler Center. Their kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. 

Those who so desire may consider a donation in loving memory of Mary to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. www.stjude.org. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road in Ilion, New York. 

This obituary may be viewed by visiting the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet. 

Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 894-8000.