By Carol Fisher-Linn
Margaret “Sis” Signore was proud to be called “teacher,” “helper,” “mom,” “friend,” and probably that which served as her foundation throughout life, “Catholic.” Certainly no “holy roller,” she participated in her share of mischief, particularly in her pre-professional years, but from the way she led her life, it was evident that she lived her life by the greatest commandment,” … love your neighbor as yourself.” Sis did that, in so many ways, it seems one needs a scorecard to keep track.
Nancy Rogan, Sis’s “sister from a different mother” recounted how she and her husband, Jack Rogan, became friends with Sis and Denny Signore in their younger years. Without spilling the beans, Nancy can attest to many antics and innocent (?) mischief of the two couples who remained inseparable even after Sis became a single, until she moved to Ohio to be closer to her daughter, Kathy (Kate). Since Sis and Jack were Catholic, they became “Pew Partners” sharing Sunday Mass together. Nancy also told about a maternity coat that she and Sis and Darlene Calarco shared by passing it around, depending on who needed to wear it during their mutual pregnancies at the same time. Sis and Nancy also job-shared when their children were babies until they each took full time jobs as the babies grew older, still working in close proximity with one another.
Close as they were, Sis managed to find time to befriend people she worked with and take them under her wing until they could fly on their own. She gave time for so many causes, one wonders when she slept. She served on the Town Planning Board for years as Ellicottville grew and developed into the tourist town it is today. It is thanks to people like Sis and the Board who preserved the true essence of Ellicottville regardless of its growth. Oh, yes, and she also served as volunteer scorekeeper for the Ellicottville Girls’ soccer team.
celebrating Jack and Nancy’s 50th wedding
anniversary, August 2015.
She worked diligently with the community, The Library Board and John and Anne Northrup who donated the land for our magnificent Ellicottville library. Please enjoy this touching note from Library Director, Laura Flanagan, “We greatly appreciate all the time Sis donated to the library for close to 50 years! Whether she was reading stories for story time, fundraising for the new library, attending meetings, helping to clean the building – both inside and out, cooking hot dogs at the Pro Am or helping during Fall Festival, she was there with a smile on her face and ready and willing to work. To say that she was an active and dedicated board member is an understatement.” “Sis was President of the Library Board during all the fundraising years and was so proud of the new building once it was completed … she would help with whatever was needed. She was our resident story time person and summer reading expert.” “Her lifetime of hard work unquestionably helped to shape this community …”
Mark Ward offered these thoughts about another of Sis’s passions. “Coined the phrase ‘Kiddoes.’ We really connected on many of the remodeling ideas that were finally implemented at Holy Name of Mary Church.” Together, they served on the major remodeling – painting, carpeting and some changes of HNM Church.” “She took me under her wing…” “Truly a breath of fresh air in so many ways with decision-making curriculum and what made a school tick. Great energy and love for the children.”
A look at the beautiful eulogy her daughter Kate gave her on Facebook, and the countless comments from those whose lives she touched also gave a glimpse of the impact Sis Signore had on so many people: comments about” her twinkling eyes when she spoke of her children and grandchildren,” “she was a force for joy,” “made a beautiful impact on the lives of everyone around her,” and more.
As her daughter, Kate, said in her remarks, she was “Fiercely loyal to family and friends, she was always willing to help others, especially when they had nothing to offer in return, earning her the reputation as someone who could be counted on to do the right thing when no one else was watching.”
On February 7, look forward to sharing your own personal stories at Sis’s beloved library.