GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY - Newsletters

January 2026

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:33:19 GMT

President's Address

Dear Friends of Gowanda Pine Hill Cemetery, January 2026

Goodness 2026 already! We hope this year will be a healthy and happy one for all our patrons.

The entrance arch is now newly powdered coated and the letters painted in Sunburst Yellow providing both protection and “pop” for the lettering. We thank trustee Jason Pickering for his great effort to seeing this through to completion.

Our Annual Appeal which was recently completed brought in $12,345. While less than the previous year, it will certainly help our cause. As I mentioned in our last newsletter there was a chance the immense help we have received for many years from the Collins inmates may come to a halt. That happened two days after our letter was mailed! Now we must decide whether to purchase machinery for leaf removal and perform this clean up ourselves, or to contract it out annually. Either way we are going to experience a steep recurring expense which must be addressed.

Rural cemeteries like Pine Hill are suffering financially throughout the country. We have held our own in recent years, but we need to be vigilant and broaden our base of support. An unpleasant yet realistic fact is that our lives are temporary. GPHC has experienced the loss of several donors in recent years. No matter the size of their donations the smaller the base the greater the impact. We continue to seek your help in any way possible to increase the number of people who contribute. We also hope you will consider having GPHC be a recipient in your estate.

The purpose of our newsletters, as you can imagine, is to keep you informed on our plans, projects, finances, and general operations. We hope you find these valuable. If we are omitting something please feel free to email me: sing4scam@yahoo.com

We continue to make progress on myriad details which improve our operation. As we enter the season of spring renewal I am confident our next newsletter will also be full of information and new developments. Come visit us anytime!

Scott Campbell, President
Gowanda Pine Hill Cemetery Board of Trustees

October Address

Friend's Newsletter

Two new members join the GPHC Board of Trustees

President Scott Campbell (middle) introduces our two new Trustees: Dean Evans (left) from Collins and Ben Shields (right) from South Dayton.

“What moves through us is a silence, a
sadness, a longing for one more day,
word, touch and we may not understand
why you left us, but little by little, we
begin to remember not that you are gone
but that you lived! And your life gave
us memories too beautiful to forget!”

Get to Know a GPHC Trustee

Martha Boutet, Vice President
After my Mother Aline’s burial in 2015 in GPHC, I contacted the President, John Torrance. I asked if I could become a volunteer at the cemetery. He invited me to attend the next Board meeting to meet the Trustees. I discovered that afternoon that these were the people and the place where I wanted to donate my time, talents, love and care. I knew it was a good time to learn about GPHC.
Born in 1950 to Paul and Aline Boutet of Kenmore, NY, I was the second of five children. Ken-Ton teachers and excellent schools provided me with opportunities to learn and work with others. Three of my teachers had worked at a ‘camp for children with special needs.’ Their influence and learning about CBC experiences intrigued me and shaped my future.
During my college years at Brockport, 1968-72, Cradle Beach Camp in Angola, NY became my home for the summers. Taking care of children with special needs while playing, swimming, singing and feeding them were tasks of love. Meeting foreign counselors from Russia, France, England, Japan, China and Africa enriched all of us by learning about their customs. It was always sad to say good bye at the end of the summer to everyone.
Communicating with deaf children in American Sign Language became my challenge. While enrolled at Canisius College, I studied and earned my Master’s Degree in 1979. Becoming a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing in Grand Rapids, MI changed my life. Living there for 21 years opened doors to camping, hiking and travelling to beautiful sites like Mackinac Island and Bridge in the Upper Peninsula.
In 2002, I retired and moved back to NYS because I missed my family. I decided to renovate and live in a family cottage in Hanford Bay near Silver Creek. Hired by SCCS as a teacher assistant, I was able to tutor kids who couldn’t pass tests and achieve at grade level. I became part of Chautauqua County, by joining volunteer organizations while developing a love for grape and blueberry farms and local nurseries full of flowers.
My life is enriched with good people who serve others. Volunteering for Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity for the last 19 years have put me in touch with families in need. By committing to a mortgage and 500 hours of labor, families with children can obtain their first home and build up equity.
My great nephews, Jackson age 7, and Bennett age 4 swim, play in the sand, build Legos and eat ice cream. I am blessed they keep me young as we experience the sunsets, bonfires and life on Lake Erie. Thank you

The refurbished arch with golden lettering welcomes visitors to “Our Gem on the Hill.” Holiday wreaths decorated the gates before the snow blanketed these sacred grounds. We are blessed for this site of peace and remembrance and thankful to our faithful donors for their generosity.

Margaret Allen	Randy Pickering
Walter Welch Bailey	Doug & Helen Pine
Martha Boutet	Peter & Susan Plumb, Jr.
Sandra Brzezinski	William Plumb
Ronald & Mary Burnside	George & Erin Poff
Scott & Candice Campbell	Patti & Russell Pound
Mary Lee Campbell-Wisley	Bonnie & Martin Price
Dennis Derby	Constance Rice
Kurt Doehnert	Mary Rice & Frederick Williamson
Mark & Miriam Doehnert	R. Bard Schaack
Thomas & Joan Duffey	David & Jill Smith
John & Susan Edwards	Ronald & Dianna Stelley
Jim & Barbara Ferro	Ricki & Debora Story
Douglas & Luann Heckman	John Tagliaferro & Tina Fursback
George & Barb Hutchinson	David & Leena Taylor
Anne Markham	John & Susan Torrance
Barbara Minner	Susan Trewer
Todd & Johanna Neller	Margaret & Patrick Walsh
Phil Palen	Brian & Amy Louise Web

Summer 2025

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

President's Address

Ever feel overwhelmed with problems or with the vast number of tasks you want to complete? Inbox Zero plays on the idea that "when you die, your inbox will not be empty.” When thinking about GPHC I often feel we can never accomplish everything needed. Our Board of Trustees is charged with prioritizing what we can do with the resources we have. We have short-range and long-range goals.

Let’s look at what we recently accomplished: 1. Hired a new sexton, Don Maziar 2. Promoted Tim Jumper as head groundskeeper 3. Planted 15 new trees 4. Improved our website’s appearance and updated the information 5. Purchased a new mower and trimmers, 6. Obtained water totes for public use 7. Installed new section marker letters, and 8. Regularly published a newsletter. All this has been possible with your great help!

Coming soon is a new roof on the tool house. We will launch our online portal for access to grave locations and availability for purchases. The main arch will be powder coated. Please note that because of your generous donations we were able to complete most of our priorities this year! Do come visit our progress!

In my working life I was fortunate to be associated with people who had the attitude to “Aim High.” Allow me to share some long-range goals, our “Aim High” points!

Replace the decrepit fence on the roadside, construct an interactive, weatherproof map to greet visitors, have the new section surveyed, develop a program for cleaning grave markers, seal coat the driveways…there’s more, but let’s stop! If we can’t “Aim High” let’s at least AIM!

Our annual expenses are nearly $25,000. Our income has slightly exceeded this, thus keeping us solvent. This is due in large part to your financial support. We recognize that increasing the number of donors is imperative. We need to broaden our base. Can you help us identify others who might help us grow? Please feel free to send me contact information for anyone who could help us. My contact information is: Scott Campbell, 9399 Flucker Hill Rd., Forestville, NY 14062, email: sing4scam@yahoo.com

Reflecting on my last letter I encourage everyone to solidify precise final resting plans. The more detailed and specific the better. If you don’t own a grave in Pine Hill, it would be prudent to purchase one now. If there are multiple family burial possibilities with limited graves, PLEASE resolve that now. We have had three uncomfortable circumstances this year alone with families trying to resolve burial arrangements while grieving…not a desirable situation. Our website, gowandapinehillcemetery.com, and many others, can be very helpful.

Scott Campbell, President GPHC Board of Trustees

Friend's Newsletter

We love our spectacular trees and our arborist inspects them yearly. A strong gust on in May brought huge branches down and volunteers carried the debris away.

Fifteen new trees have been planted throughout the cemetery this past spring.

Thanks to Cattaraugus County and the Village of Gowanda for delivering two pieces of used bridge decking to cover storm drains.

Two young Eastern Red Buds decorate our landscape every spring.

The colorful blooming of the front garden welcomes everyone to our place of peace on Earth.

A Positive Message for All Communities
These colorful yard signs initiate appreciation for First Responders who volunteer their time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In all emergency situations, they provide medical, fire and police assistance to individuals in need. To show your gratitude, purchase this 18” wide by 12” height double sided, waterproof sign. A wire display holder is included. The cost is $15 each. Contact Martha Boutet at (716) 410-0793 to purchase and pick one up locally. Thank you.

A headstone in Section E marks the burial site of Jaazaniah Howe, a soldier from The Revolutionary War.
His birth 1762 - death 1838.

Welcome to Don Maziarz our new sexton of the GPHC.

A sculpture by the late Chuck McIsaac adorns his gravesite in Section J.

A new flag flies every year as the wind whips around the hills all four seasons.
With so much rain in May, the grass is lush, thick and very wet. Tim Jumper (groundskeeper) and volunteers Phil Palen and Dean Evans spent hours mowing to get ready for Memorial Day. Weather on Memorial Day was perfect!

FRIENDS OF GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT

Newsletter

Dear Friends of Gowanda Pine Hill Cemetery, January 2025
The Happiest and healthy New Years to you all!!
As noted at the top of our donor list for 2024 we have established a new benchmark level for
giving. This enormous achievement will provide us the funds necessary to work on some
important areas. Specifically we will put a new metal roof on the Tool House, plant several
replacement trees, and several smaller projects falling under General Maintenance. Many of you designated your donation to our General Maintenance fund. This will ensure our ability to fund our employees who will carry out these tasks.
We can’t emphasize enough how grateful we are for all your contributions. Since we as volunteers don’t need to embark on “fundraising projects” we can focus on the real and important tasks at hand. We appreciate your trust in us and want you to know we will continue to work diligently to accomplish as much as possible with the funds we have received. Our list of Qualified Charitable Contributions (QCD’s) doubled this year. Please consider this option in 2025 as it not only benefits us, but you who contribute from your RMD’s.
Despite several wind storms this year we thankfully have had no substantial damage to our trees or the graves surrounding them. This is directly attributed to the work of our arborist who monitors the health of our trees. This work is an example of the important tasks we have accomplished through your contributions.
One area of importance is yours’ and others’ pre-planning. It is never too early to make your
wishes known. Whether you wish to have a traditional burial, full body donation to science, or a
cremation, it is critical that your loved ones understand your plans. It is also VERY important that your loved ones have access to your written plans and especially to your deed and/or receipt for your gravesite. If you have not purchased a grave we encourage you to do so soon. Too often we witness struggles, disputes, and unnecessary decisions which need to be made at an emotional moment. Consider, please, how much you can lighten the load of those who remain after you bsimple and specific plans constructed at this time. Finally, if you own a grave in Pine Hill and wish to transfer it to someone else, we MUST have a letter indicating your desire. For more help visit gowandapinehillcemetery.com. Click on Our Services, then on Considerations.
All our volunteers on the Board of Trustees work diligently. I would like to acknowledge the
outstanding efforts by Martha Boutet with these newsletters, Phil Palen as secretary and
ombudsman, and Jill Smith for the complicated duties as treasurer. These three really “make it
work!
Scott Campbell, President
GPHC Board of Trustees

You, our donors, have surpassed our Annual Appeal goal with a total amount of $14,289.00  We are astounded!  Your outstanding support will help us complete projects for 2025.
Thank you very much for your generosity and care for GPHC. from The Board of Trustees.
Margaret Allen
Walter Welch Bailey Phil Palen
Sherrie Berger Doug and Helen Pine
Martha Boutet    Peter C. and Susan Plumb, Jr.
Craig and Susan Brown      William Plumb
Sandra Brzezinski       George and Erin Poff
Ron and Mary Burnside Patti and Russell Pound
Scott and Candice Campbell Martin and Bonnie Price
Mary Lee Campbell-Wisley Mary T. Rice and
Makenzie Carroll Frederick Williamson
Ruth Creamer Bard Schaack
Walter and Lorissa Darling Ronald and Dianna Stelley
Dennis and Jane Derby                    Ricki and Debora Story
Kurt Doehnert John Tagliaferro and Tina Fursback
Mark and Miriam Doehnert David and Leena Taylor
John and Susan Edwards Sylvi Taylor
Jim and Barb Ferro Jack and Sue Torrance
Marlene and Jeff Gaffney Sue Trewer
Douglas and Luann Heckman Alice Tschopp
George and Barb Hutchinson Judith Vogtli
K & L Lanes Margaret and Patrick Walsh
Barbara Minner Brian and Amy Louise Webb
John Nowak Fredric and Linda Weyand

Get to Know a Board Member….
Phil Palen
Phil is a ‘born and bred Gowanda native’. He was delivered by Dr. Norris Frank at Tri County Hospital in 1954 and grew up in a friendly place. He loved learning and became an honors student at Cardinal Mindszenty HS, graduating in 1972. He continued his education earning a B.A. at St. Bonaventure University in 1978. Phil sold real estate at Ed Tarbox Agency for 45 years to numerous local people. He learned about the history and people of the Cattaraugus and Erie County areas. His love of knowledge, history and people made natural traits to become the official Gowanda Historian.
A visit to the Gowanda Historical Building unveils black and white photos of the events, citizens, streets and artifacts from the past.
Using his fascination with geography, Phil explains the natural beauty of the hills, valleys, roads and fields that surround Gowanda.
In 2001 Phil and a committee of hard-working citizens applied for a “Tree City, USA” grant. Upon receiving the grant, over 1,000 trees were planted in three local parks: Chang Hu, St. John’s and Gateway Parks. For twenty-four years we have enjoyed their beauty and shade.
Phil joined the Pine Hill Cemetery as a Board Member and became the Recording Secretary in 2012. He continues in this position and provides details of discussion, decisions and actions to improve the cemetery.   He imparts his love for local lore and historical knowledge to anyone who asks Phil a question about Gowanda’s past. Listening to the details of his historical knowledge is like being in a classroom. It is evident as he walks through the cemetery and recounts details about the contributions of local friends, families and its citizens.
Phil’s geographical sense is impeccable when he speaks of the influences of ‘life in the valley.’ His love of nature along with his hard work ethic, are witnessed as he voluntarily mows grass, rakes leaves, trims branches and shows up with a truck full of topsoil. With tools in hand, he is ready to volunteer and improve this small part of the Earth. Phil also photographs nature at its best and knows the flora and fauna that naturally decorate Pine Hill through the seasons.
One of Phil’s passions is to use “Find a Grave,” a website of genealogical information that family members may input and save. He suggests that we explore findagrave.com and record what we know of our families. It is also a fascinating site to find the burial sites of famous people.
I hope you get to meet Phil one day and talk to him about Gowanda. His love of his home town, history and the cemetery is unwavering.
                                                               By Martha Boutet

Phil and Martha hung the wreaths at the front gates.

FRIENDS OF GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY FALL NEWSLETTER
To the Friends of Gowanda Pine Hill Cemetery,
We hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather wherever you live! The lush summer weather has led us into a most spectacular fall season. The majestic colors of the leaves are just popping!
Our featured GPHC Trustees are John (Jack) and Sue Torrance. Sue and Jack met at college in Potsdam, NY. They married, raised four children and moved back to Gowanda in 2000. Sue’s parents, Don and Edna Campbell, were legends who owned and operated the Super Duper. Sue followed in her dad’s footsteps and became a trustee of GPHC. Both she and Jack have served as the Treasurers. He currently a Trustee Emeritus. For 23 years they were stewards guiding the Board’s actions.
Jack and Sue were instrumental in planning 300 graves in the new section of the cemetery. They also planted, watered and nurtured beautiful, young trees and laid the groundwork for the future. The Friends of GPHC group was initiated by them. We thank Sue and Jack for their years of outstanding service to the ‘Gem on the Hill.’
Our trusted and beloved groundskeeper, Frank Howard, has decided to cut back his hours and train his replacement. Since he was 16 years old, Frank has been involved with burials, maintenance cutting grass. He has served as the ‘backbone’ of the cemetery performing numerous responsibilities. We thank
him and appreciate his hard work and dedication.
Sue and Jack Torrance celebrated their 62nd anniversary on Sept. 30, 2023.
Congratulations!
One of our special projects of the Annual Appeal has been to refurbish the iron gate. It cost $1,000 to repair, paint and replace at the front arch.
Please watch for our 2023 Annual Appeal letter which will arrive in the mail at the end of November. We thank you!
Martha Boutet , Vice President
martbout4@aol.com 10/7/23

FRIENDS OF GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY SPRING 2023 NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends of the Gowanda Pine Hill Cemetery,
We want to thank each of you for your generous donation to our 2022 Annual Appeal held from November 2022 through January 2023. Our final monetary total was $6,995.00. We are astounded by your generosity! Please know we will be good stewards of these funds while upgrading and improving services to families, the cemetery grounds, and administrative oversight.
It is the Board of Trustees’ goal to send an email to our Friends each of the four seasons this year. We will share photos and updates of our beautiful site as well as progress towards our goal to be a premiere cemetery in Erie County.
Our trustees are President, Scott Campbell; Vice President, Martha Boutet; Treasurer, Jill Smith; Secretary, Phil Palen; Joan Duffey, Jason Pickering, Sue Torrance, and Fritz Weyand
If you know of interested persons who would like to receive our emails, or would like to become a Friend of GPHC, please put them in touch with me by email or address.
Once again, we thank you for your support and interest in the “Gem on the Hill” in Gowanda, NY. We wish you a pleasant Memorial Day.
Respectfully,
Martha Boutet, Vice President
Email: martbout4@aol.com
Address: 1225 Front St. Silver Creek NY 14136

February 2024

GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY - Newsletters

January 2026

President's Address

​Friend's Newsletter

Summer 2025

President's Address

Friend's Newsletter

FRIENDS OF GOWANDA PINE HILL CEMETERY FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

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