Obituaries – May 20, 2022

Palmer James Carnright

April 29, 2022

Cornwall, New York

Palmer James Carnright, “Jim,” died Thursday, April 29, 2022. 

Married to Polly Ann (Alberga) Carnright for more than 60 years, Jim was the son of the late Palmer James Carnright of Cornwall, N.Y., and Flora (Lucas) Ocker of Phoeanicia, N.Y., and stepson of Dorothy Carnright.

He grew up in Zena and Cornwall, N.Y., before making a home in Manchester, N.H., and then Candia, N.H. He later moved to Florida, living first in Bradenton, then Palm Bay. 

Jim graduated from Cornwall High School and tested out college for two years before eventually becoming a salesman, working for Mack Trucks in Manchester for decades. Later he would work at Mel’s Auto and Trucks Sales in Hampton, N.H. After retiring from selling 18-wheelers, Jim served as a groundskeeper for Longboat Key Club in Sarasota, Fla., and later the city of Palm Bay. 

Jim is survived by his wife, and three children, Jeffrey Carnright of Palm Bay, Fla., Michael Carnright and his wife Barbara of Melbourne, Fla., and Christine Stevens and her husband Richard of Nahant, Mass. He also leaves a granddaughter, Alison (Carnright) Finlay; two great-grandaughters; and five siblings, Jane Manhardt and her husband Michael, John Carnright and his wife Judy, David Carnright and his wife Louise, Deborah Kucera and Kathleen Kirshner and her husband Robert, as well as 11 nieces and nephews.

There was a celebration of life at the American Legion Post 117, Palm Bay, Fla., on May 15, 2022, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please makes donations to your favorite charity.

Miriam Anne Van Loan

February 20, 1924—May 7, 2022

Formerly of Cornwall, NY

Miriam Anne Van Loan, 98, of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on May 7, 2022, surrounded by loving family. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Joseph Hubert, her husband, James D. Van Loan, and her son, Richard Van Loan.

Miriam was born on February 20, 1924 in New York City, where she attended Catholic schools throughout her youth, culminating in high school at the School of the Blessed Sacrament on an academic scholarship. Her strong Catholic faith was her guiding light throughout her long life. Upon graduation from Hunter College in 1946 with a degree in English, Miriam worked as a preschool teacher and also taught at the New York School for the Deaf.

After Miriam’s first child was born, she was able to fulfill her desire to stay home to raise her four children. She moved from Cornwall, New York, to Atlanta in 1982 to live closer to her daughter and family, and was a loving and supportive influence on the lives of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Miriam’s love of children was enduring. After raising her own family, she worked for 30 years caring for infants and toddlers in the nursery at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Atlanta. Her love of reading led her to volunteer with the Smyrna Library for over 20 years, and she was honored for her service by the Friends of Smyrna Library. Her other hobbies and interests included classical music, gardening, and cooking for family and for those in need. Miriam leaves behind three children: Bob Van Loan (Diane), Dr. Linda Anthony (Hank), and Jim Van Loan (Susan), nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

A Mass for Miriam will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 18th at 1:00pm. She will be laid to rest in St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Cemetery in Cornwall, New York, with her husband, son, and parents. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to Catholic Relief Services at: support.crs.org.