IN MEMORIAM:  Zondra Lynn Hart, 51;

Oversaw County Economic Development

ONEONTA – Zondra Lynn (Carson) Hart, 51, of Hartwick, who in the second half of 2013 bore the responsibility of keeping the Otsego County Economic Development Office operating, passed away peacefully at her home Monday, June 8, 2015.

She was born July 13, 1963, in Oneonta, the daughter of Leonard Eugene Carson, Sr. and Crystal (Faunce) Carson.

Zondra graduated from Laurens Central School, Class of 1981. She then earned an associate’s degree from SUNY Cobleskill and a bachelor’s from SUNY Oneonta.

On April 4, 1986, at the Main Street Baptist Church, Zondra married Michael Hart; the two shared 29 years of marriage.

As an economic development specialist in the county Economic Development Office in Oneonta’s old city hall, Zondra oversaw the effort during a period of transition between the resignation of Director Carolyn Lewis in August 2013 and the county IDA assuming economic-development activities at the beginning of 2014.

Lately, she was the owner of Creative Dress Boutique on Main Street. Zondra was very creative, she was a dress maker and made her own jewelry. She loved to make handmade gifts for her family and friends. She would always put a lot of thought into each gift so that it matched the person completely. She was an artist and loved to paint and draw.

On Saturdays during the summer, you could find Zondra and her mom, Crystal perusing the area for lawn sales, she loved a good bargain and collecting antiques.

Zondra also would help people getting started with their businesses, helping them write grants.

She and Michael were best friends. They loved spending time together whether it was fishing or traveling throughout New England exploring historic houses.

In addition to her husband, survivors include her mother, Crystal Carson of Laurens; brother, Len (Dellene) Carson of Oneonta; sister, Cara (Ira) Wheeler of South New Berlin; nieces and nephews, Joshua and James Carson, Dan Wood, Spencer and Elena Tompkins, Lacy Cole and Austin Wheeler; mother-in-law, Marjorie Hart; sisters-in-law, Barbara Hart and Cindy Hasbrook, Marjorie (Michael) Phillips and Christine (Thomas) Herr; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father, Leonard Eugene Carson, Sr.; father-in-law, George Hart; and sister-in-law, Catherine Hart.

A service to celebrate the her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Main Street Baptist Church, Oneonta, with the Pastor Phil Livermore officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be held at a later in the Elm Row Cemetery, Laurens.

Memorial donations may be made to either Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, New York 13820 or to the charity of one’s choice.

To light a candle or send an online condolence please visitwww.bookhoutfuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.