Obituary of Virginia Pratt

Virginia Ann Pratt, 91, long-time Oswego resident and SUNY Oswego professor, passed away September 11 in State College, PA at the Juniper Village care facility with family by her side. Born in 1928 in Bronxville, NY to Gladys and Francis Marion Pratt, she held a BA in history from Allegheny College (1950), a MA in student personnel administration from Cornell University (1957) and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota (1971). Following employment at the YWCA, the Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing, and as Associate Dean of Students at SUNY Buffalo, she landed at SUNY Oswego in Oswego, NY in 1968. Retiring in 1990 as an Associate Professor of History, Dr. Pratt had earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher who gave extensive attention to student advisement and curriculum development. She taught extensively in support of the American Studies Program on campus and served as its Coordinator from 1972 to 1984. For many years, she was the Oswego liaison with American University for the Washington Semester Program. Active in community service in Oswego, Ginny volunteered with Safe Haven, Meals on Wheels, the Human Concerns Center, Oswego Public Library, American Cancer Society, and the Oswego County Humane Society. She loved playing bridge and golf, spending time tending her garden, traveling in her RV, learning to play the piano, being involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews and their children, and relaxing with her cats. A friend to many, one highlight was the annual picnic with college friends. Predeceased by sister Beverly Pratt Schaufler and nephew Stephen Pratt, she is survived by her brother Hayden Pratt (Katharine) of Glastonbury, CT., nieces Katherine Schaufler and Elizabeth Lunny, nephews Donald Schaufler, Douglas Schaufler, Jeffrey Pratt and Daniel Pratt, many beloved great-nieces/nephews and her loyal cat Toni. A celebration of Ginny's life is planned for October 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Oswego, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, PO Box 849, Oswego, NY 13126; the Oswego County Humane Society, 157 East First St., Oswego, NY 13126; or the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, PO Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240. Interment will be private at Willow Glen Cemetery in Dryden, NY.