Myrtle Hayes Bush

Myrtle Hayes Bush, 91, of Syracuse died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 21, 2016. She was born and raised in Constableville, NY, on the Tug Hill Plateau. She grew up playing the trombone in a band with her father and also playing the organ at church. One day after church, she found a local farm boy, Leon Bush, waiting for her. He became the love of her life. They were happily married for 44 years until his death in 1990. At an early age, Myrtle felt called to become a nurse. She came to Syracuse to attend St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in the 1940s. She and Leon married in 1945, and eventually settled permanently in Syracuse where they owned and operated Lee’s Feed Store, a historic mill built in 1813 in the city’s Valley section. Myrtle liked to say that she had worked at every hospital in the city, some that no longer even existed. She also worked at several nursing homes and did private duty nursing. She continued her education throughout her life, eventually earning an M.S. in Health Education from SUNY Oswego. For many years, she was a nursing instructor for CCBI, OCM BOCES, Onondaga Community College, and Central Technical School. She was beloved by her students, and many would contact her to thank her for her guidance. At the time of her death, she was still practicing in her field, working in the Health Education Department at Upstate University Hospital. She was proud of being recognized as the hospital’s oldest employee. She was also thrilled to have won the March of Dimes 2013 Nurse of the Year Award for her 70 years of nursing service. When her award was announced, those in attendance at the ceremony literally gasped and immediately rose to their feet for a standing ovation. Myrtle had many interests and hobbies. She was an avid golfer and bowled for many years. She loved music, reading, animals, playing cards (especially the “Dumb Game”), genealogy, playing the slots, wintering in Florida, her family, and her faith. She was famous for driving around town in her red Cadillac. Myrtle’s friends and family were constantly amazed by her strength and stamina, even as she entered her 10th decade. She was an inspiration to all and refused to be classified as “old.” She did it her way, all the way to the end. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by an infant son, Thomas, and her son-in-law, Timothy Collins. She leaves behind a large and successful family, which is a tribute to her and Leon’s legacy: three daughters, Suzanne (Patrick) Fitzgerald of Pitman, NJ, Sandra Collins of Marcellus, NY and Nancy (Thomas) Eron of Westvale, NY; 10 grandchildren, Tracy (Ross Hess) Fitzgerald, Daniel (Susan Gunderson) Fitzgerald and Mark (Emily) Fitzgerald; Matthew (Julie) Collins, Tim Collins, Brian Collins, Kate Collins, and David Collins; Scott Eron and Leigh Eron; as well as six great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc., 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13205. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2016 at St. James Church, 4845 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13205. Donations in her memory may be made to the CNY Cat Coalition, Bishop Ludden Jr./ Sr. High School, and Bishop Grimes Jr./ Sr. High School.

Myrtle Hayes Bush

October 9, 1924 - January 21, 2016