Elaine C. Zirbel, 95, of McGraw, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Born December 23, 1929, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Clyde and Anna Eberlin Corson.
Her family moved to Cortland when she was about five years old. Her father worked as a hired hand on a local dairy farm and the family lived in dire poverty. Thus, they never had much and struggled to feed the family. After graduating from Cortland High School, she went to work at Chaffee’s Chocolate Shop in Cortland where she met her future husband, Lloyd R. Zirbel. They married on November 20, 1948, and he passed away on February 20, 2008. She enjoyed a career as an office manager and bookkeeper at various auto dealerships. She retired in 1991 from Ames Chevrolet.
Elaine was a hard worker, a great cook, baker and seamstress. She loved to garden, crochet, go camping and travel the world. In her later years she enjoyed square dancing.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Karen Zirbel of Auburn; her daughter, Sally DeVoe of Florida, a “special adopted daughter” Carol Carey, grandchildren, Michael Zirbel, Kimberly (Brian) Tisdall and Miranda (James) Dobbins. Also six great-grandchildren Caleb Zirbel, Tanner, Cody, Lydia, Jarrett and Maci Tisdall, a brother, Wallace Corson of Florida and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Lloyd, she was pre-deceased by a son Brian E. in 1984 and a great-grandson, Zacharey Tisdall in 2008.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6th at the McGraw Rural Cemetery. There are no visitation hours.
The Wright-Beard Funeral Home of Cortland is serving the family; online condolences may be left at www.wright-beard.com.
Memorial contributions are preferred to the Cortland County SPCA, McLean Road, Cortland, NY 13045.
