LAURENS - Louise M. Sitts, 83, passed away Thursday, September 28, 2006 at her residence.

She was born on October 17, 1922 in Pepecton, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Russell) Gemmel.

Louise married Bernie Sitts Sr. on August 1, 1942 in Franklin. He predeceased her on August 24, 1974.

Louise was a graduate of Delaware Academy. She was a Laurens resident for 54 years.

Louise worked at the A.O. Fox Memorial Nursing Home in Oneonta as a nurse's aide.

She was a member of the Otsego County Mountaineers CB Club, Otsego County Bowling Hall of Fame, Monday night Bowling League and the St. James Episcopal Church in Glen Burnie. Louise was an avid softball player until the age of 70, playing for 40 years.

Louise is survived by her daughters, Mae VanAlstyne and her companion, Blaine Davis of Otego, Rita Knapp of Laurens, Becky Welsh and her husband, David of Cooperstown, Sharon Clapper and her husband, Willard of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Barbara Delaney and her husband, Patrick of Oneonta and Zelda Smith of Elmhurst, NY; a son, Bernie Sitts and his wife, Sharon of West Laurens; 12 grandchildren, Cindy, Craig, Cary, Richie, Shelby, Willy, Anne, Jamie, Billy, Lori, Jimmy and Darren; great grandchildren, Levi, Shawn, Jesse, Evan, Kelsey, Shane, Aryn, Katie, Richie, Dalton, Trey, Drew, Dillion, Harley, Buddha, Nicky, Ashlie, Dominic, Kylie, Hannah, Faith, Ashlyn and Alyse; a great-great granddaughter, Nicketa; her sisters and brothers, John Gemmel, Beatrice Staerker, Russell and Charlotte Gemmel, all of Oneonta, Donald Gemmel of Graybull, Wyo., Madelyn Gemmel of Delhi, and Algene and Marjorie Johnson of Lititz, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Pauline (James) Sitts of Utica; a brother-in-law, Frank Davis of Oneonta; and a former son-in-law, Bill Brooks Jr. of Laurens; many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Her sisters and brothers, Robert Gemmel, Sarah Rubyor, Marion Goss, Jean Davidson, Francis Gemmel, Catherine Knapp and Gerald Gemmel predeceased her.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home in Oneonta, with the Rev. Kenneth Hunter pastor of the St. James Episcopal Church in Oneonta, officiating.

Friends may call at the funeral home from Noon till the service time at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in loving memory of Louise to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 or to the Laurens Fire Department, Laurens, NY 13796.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street in Oneonta, is serving the family.