Alberta Ann Oonk

Born on May 21, 1942, at WCA Hospital, Jamestown, NY, to Donald and Hazel TenBuckel Croscutt, Alberta grew up with a strong sense of family and faith–values that shaped every chapter of her life. Alberta married Harvey D. Oonk on Sept. 9, 1961, nearly 65 years. Together they raised a family and built a remarkable life on the Oonk family farm in Clymer, NY. Her greatest joy in life was her family.

Alberta believed deeply in service and community, and her contributions left a lasting impact on everyone she worked alongside. She was a devoted member of the Abbe Reformed Church in Clymer, NY, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and offered her time and talents wherever they were needed. She delighted in singing with the church choir, where her voice and steadfast spirit enriched the worship services she held dear. Even late in life, she was known to sing or hum along to familiar hymns as they played in the background at home. Her faith guided her daily life.

Outside of her work in the church, Alberta had an extraordinary passion for youth. She led the Clymer Eager Beavers 4-H Club for an incredible 38 years, shaping the lives of countless young people. She managed the 4-H Snack Bar at the Chautauqua County Fair for many years and served on the Fair’s Board of Directors.

Alberta’s additional passions included gardening, scrapbooking, sewing, and quilting. The large garden behind the house was always a focus of her attention as the family grew. She documented her family’s lives, significant community events, the 4-H program, Harvey’s tractors, and the history of Clymer through scrapbooking. Walking into the family living room, over 100 scrapbooks are there for learning about each member of the family and re-living memories.

Alberta was also a prolific sewer. While her children were young, she made matching outfits and dresses for the girls and herself and suits and shirts for Harvey and the boys. For several years, she also operated a fabric shop out of her home.

Alberta embraced quilting, a pastime that allowed her to create beautiful and meaningful bedspreads for her family and friends. She made a quilt for each of her children and her grandchildren upon their graduation from high school. As great-grandchildren came along, many received their first quilt from great-grandma Oonk.

She also deveolped interest in collecting and researching the history of milk bottles. Harvey can tell stories of the long drives to antique shops and flea markets where they rummaged looking for milk bottles. Her dedication to this passion led her to self-publish a book titled “Milk Bottles of Chautauqua County and Their Stories.”

After the three oldest were out of the house, Alberta worked in the office of Maplevale Farms, a local frozen food distributor serving food service for clients. She enjoyed her 18 plus years at the firm.

Alberta is survived by her husband, Harvey; her children, Wayne (Linda) of Cuba, NY; Tim (Mary) of Baldwinsville, NY; Robin Briand (Mark) of Montgomery, NY; Suellen Donisi of Hamburg, NY; and Debra Jones (Owen) of Clymer, NY; as well as her eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren (with the youngest being born the same day as her passing); and her brother, Duane (Carol) Croscutt of Bern, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Hazel Croscutt; her brother, Dale Croscutt; and her son-in-law, Raffaele Donisi.

A celebration of Alberta’s life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Abbe Reformed Church in Clymer, NY. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church at 595 Clymer-Sherman Road, followed by a 12 p.m. noon service with a luncheon to follow. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in her memory to: Abbe Reformed Church, P.O. Box 249, Clymer, NY 14724 or Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.

The family, especially Harvey, would like to thank Alberta’s devoted caregivers during the last few years of her life: Jackie Hotchkiss, Susie Daubenspeck, Tina Applebee, Amanda Leslein, Marsha Byler, Linda TeCroney, and the many neighbors and friends who offered care, compassion, and friendship during her final years.

Alberta’s presence brought warmth and light to all who knew her. Her legacy of kindness, generosity, and quiet strength will live on in the many lives she touched.

Arrangements are under the care of Bracken Funeral Home, Inc., 315 N. Center St, Corry, PA 16407.

To sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.brackenfh.com.