In Memoriam

Ursula Jane Hage
1939–2026

COOPERSTOWN—Ursula Jane Hage, 87, of Cooperstown, passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family. For the past 35 years she resided on Pioneer Street in Cooperstown with her husband, Charles T. Hage.

Ursula was born in Syracuse on May 7, 1939, the daughter of Lewis and Alma Hanifin. The youngest of four siblings, including Patricia, Alma, and Lewis, she attended Holy Name in Springfield, Massachusetts before her family moved to Fort Plain when she was 13 years old. They moved into a home on Center Street, where she became neighbors and lifelong friends with Charles Hage. After graduating from Fort Plain High School, Ursula attended Mercy School of Nursing in Springfield, Massachussets and became a registered nurse. She continued her education, taking courses at Syracuse University, University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Empire State College, receiving a bachelor of science and masters of science in public administration.

After many years of friendship, Charles and Ursula married on August 4, 1962 at St. James Church in Fort Plain.

Following her schooling, Ursula began working as a public health nurse for Rensselaer County. Charles and Ursula then moved to Lancaster, California, where she continued her career in public health for the County of Los Angeles, primarily providing healthcare to families of migrant farm workers. Returning to New York State, Ursula devoted 20 years of service to Monroe County, managing child and adolescent programs for students in the Rochester City School District. She was the union representative for the Monroe Country Department of Public Health Nursing Services Division, where she successfully negotiated higher wages for public health nurses.

She was a member of the League of Women Voters of Rochester, University Club of Rochester and the Tennis Club of Rochester.

After moving to Cooperstown, Ursula became an integral member of the community. She conducted grant research on youth smoking and nutrition, and helped establish Bassett Medical Center’s UpClose Cardiac Surgery Program, an education initiative servicing the area’s rural school districts. She was an avid supporter of the Friends of Bassett, the Cooperstown Graduate Program and The Glimmerglass Festival, and was a member of the Lake and Valley Garden Club, The Guild of Glimmerglass Festival, The Fenimore Society, and the Cooperstown Country Club. She was an enthusiast of outdoor activities, including tennis, ice skating, skiing, running, biking, swimming in Otsego Lake and long walks with her dog, Rose. Ursula enjoyed countless hours working in her gardens and talking with visitors, often receiving recognition for her flowers and plantings. She would often say the most beautiful color combinations come from nature. Ursula commissioned a painting of her family, which depicts her spouse, children, and grandchildren on Otsego Lake, to celebrate the love and joy they all share together.

Ursula is survived by her husband, Charles; her devoted children, Eric and Noelle (Fay) Hage, Daniel and Nalini (Sehdev) Hage, and Maureen (Hage) and Matthew Schuermann; along with her nine beloved grandchildren, John, Ann, Michael, Margaret, Lyla, Mary, Meagan, Melissa, and Caroline. Ursula was a wonderful grandmother and never forgot a birthday or holiday. Her warm, wonderful humor will be greatly missed.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY  13326; The Cooperstown Graduate Program, PO Box 4, Cooperstown, NY  13326; Fenimore Art Museum, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY  13326; The Guild of Glimmerglass Festival, PO Box 491, Cooperstown, NY  13326;  and Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, Oneonta, NY  13820.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Ursula J. Hage will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026 at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. The Mass will be presided over by Father Jason Hage of the Diocese of Syracuse. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow at Fort Plain Cemetery. Family and friends are also warmly invited to join in remembering Ursula and celebrating her life at a reception at the Cooperstown Country Club from 1-3 p.m. on Friday afternoon. All are welcome.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.