Obituary of Dana A. Nesbitt
Barre: Dana Alexander Nesbitt passed away at the age of 84 on November 13, 2018. She was born in Buffalo, NY on February 25, 1934 to the late Howell Alexander and the late Azalea “Duffy” (Auerbach) Alexander of East Aurora, NY.
Dana graduated from East Aurora High School in 1952, and earned her BS degree in Home Economics at Buffalo State College in 1956. After college, she worked for the Buffalo Gas Company demonstrating cooking appliances. In 1957, she married Arnold Haseley and they moved across the country as he pursued his doctoral degree. When Arnold died suddenly in 1965, Dana moved back to East Aurora with their three small children. It was there that Pete Nesbitt came courting. Dana married Pete in 1966 and adopted Debra, Randy and Kristen. They settled at Pine Hill Farms in Barre, NY. The family was complete with the addition of LJ. Dana ran their beautiful home with the precision and care of a true home economist. A lifelong lover of the arts, Dana fostered an appreciation for art and music in her children and sang alto with the Genesee Chorale for 25 years. She was a frequent patron of concerts and events at the Eastman School of Music and the Chautauqua Institution. Of her many volunteer pursuits, her work as a board member and tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America was closest to her heart. Dana was reserved but delighted her close friends and family with her razor-sharp wit and hilarious commentaries.
Her family and friends cared for her during her last few months at home and at Hospice of Orleans County. Dana is survived by her husband of 52 years, Calvin “Pete” Nesbitt; her daughter Debra Nesbitt of Toronto, Canada; her son Randall Nesbitt (Tina Lacey) of Ithaca, NY; her daughter Kristen Nesbitt (Ivan Ourusoff) of Wilmot, NH; her daughter Lisa “LJ” (Hampton Bridwell) of Redding, CT, and her grandchildren Aidan and Charlotte Bridwell. At Dana’s request, no funeral services will take place. Gifts in her memory can be sent to the Chautauqua Foundation, foundation@chq.org.
Dana’s arrangement have been entrusted to Merrill Grinnell Funeral Home 21 West Ave. Albion, NY.
