Fay Howard Sesney
GLADSTONE — Fay Howard Sesney passed away on June 26, 2020, in the Milwaukee’s Froedtert Hospital after a short illness. Fay was born on May 3, 1946, in Lockport, New York. She graduated from Lockport High School and spent her summers in Ray Brooke, New York working in her father’s restaurant “The Tail of the Pup” and his Adirondack cabins. The Howards were known in the North Country as the best place to get a great hot dog and a cold beer underneath the towering pines just outside of Lake Placid.
Fay married John Sesney on Aug. 28, 1971, in the chapel on the American Management Association campus in Saranac Lake. They moved to Salt Lake City where Fay worked in the boutique clothing industry and pursued her B.S. in science education at Weber State College. She then moved to Lewiston, Idaho and completed her degree at Lewis Clark State College and taught a variety of biological sciences in the area high schools. During that time, she began working in stained glass and became a well-known artist in Northern Idaho.
When she moved to Gladstone, Mich., she opened her own shop “Splinters,” and taught several students her craft. She was often commissioned to do special stained-glass projects such as the Hannahville Casino restaurant and many others. Her talent with artistic renditions, colors, and tone was breathtaking.
Fay was very active in the Escanaba and Gladstone community and participated in athletic events and truly enjoyed running, hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing. She loved dogs and volunteered at the local animal shelter where she adopted several sheltered dogs.
Most of all, Fay loved a “Good Time” with friends and created many gourmet meals that were highlighted by laughs and wonderful stories. She was a warm, cheerful, strongly independent, industrious woman who made friends across the country from New York, Utah, Idaho, Florida and Michigan.
She is survived by cousins Rick and Gary Drum and their families in Gasport, N.Y.
She was proceeded in death by her father, Cal Howard, her mother, Gladys Howard, and her revered older brother Cal, Jr., who died tragically after completing OCS training in the Navy in 1968.
In keeping with Fay’s wishes cremation will take place. Her remains will be transported to family in New York for a private memorial service.
Remembrances may be sent to Gary F. Drum, 3617 Quaker Rd, Gasport, N.Y. 14067-9472.
Donations or Memorials in Fay’s name may be made to Delta Animal Shelter, 6975 County 426 M Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829.
A message of condolence may be extended by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.