Mary Louise (Peggy) Hess, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at The Folts Home in Herkimer, NY. She was born in Ilion, N.Y. on her Mother's birthday July 4, 1924, the daughter of the late James V.S. and Mary Casey. A native of Mohawk, she graduated from Mohawk High School and Albany State Teachers College with high honors. She was married to Austin Hess on June 29, 1946 and they shared 51 treasured years of marriage until his death in September of 1997. Mary was a substitute teacher for thirty years in most of the Valley Schools. She was a devoted member of the Mohawk Reformed Church where she was secretary for many years. She always had a song in her heart and her love for music led her to participate and plan countless musical events in her church and community through the years. Peggy was happiest when she was surrounded by the love of her family which includes her four devoted children: Patricia Hess of Mohawk, NY; Michael Hess of Jordanville, NY; Susan (David) Pagano of Ballston Spa, NY and Peter (Kay) Hess of Herkimer, NY. She was blessed with ten cherished grandchildren: Keith Mills, Amy (William) Murphy, Lisa (Michael) Streeter; Chad (Kathleen) Hess, Casi (Ben Hilts) Hess; Jessica (Adam) Zyglis, Nicholas Pagano; Brian Hess, Andrew Hess, Daniel (Lisa) Hess and fifteen precious great-grandchildren: Shauna, Austin and Ashley Mills; Brady and Ella Murphy; Philip, Emily and Megan Streeter; Joshua, Carson, Kirsten, Sierra, Misty and Shaundra Hess; Clyde Zyglis. She is also survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law Lonnie and Tom Stephens of Swampscott, MA; and sister-in-law Ann Casey of Connecticut, as well as many fond in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends including her dearest best friend Mary Casey of Ilion, NY. She was predeceased by her brother James and infant son. Our family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the 3rd Floor staff at the Folts Home. The loving, compassionate care that was so genuinely given to "Ms. Peggy" never went unnoticed and will never be forgotten. Friends are invited to attend calling hours for Mary, at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc., 100 Otsego St., Ilion, to be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the Mohawk Reformed Church, 20 S. Otsego Street, Mohawk with Pastor Brian Engel officiating. Interment will follow at the Mohawk Cemetery. Friends are asked to please consider memorial donations to the Mohawk Reformed Church, envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."