Rebecca Ann (Zegeer) Gouge, 63, of Clayton, N.Y., passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, N.Y., after a long illness. Born in Charleston, W.Va., January 13, 1956, she was the daughter of Harry Soloman and Mary Frances (McCarus) Zegeer. Rebecca graduated from Charleston High School and continued her education at WVU where she received her degree in Psychology. She then began working as a Preschool Teacher and also served as an Intake Coordinator at a children’s home.
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Rebecca met Kary L. Gouge in Charleston, W.Va. The couple married and became residents of Clayton, N.Y., in 1985. Rebecca spent years developing programs in Jefferson county and was influential in the hospitality and tourism industry for 1000 Islands. Rebecca and Kary are most known for opening the first video rental store in Jefferson County in 1985, which served 21 locations.

Rebecca will be remembered as a free spirit who was always ready to help a neighbor. She was a “seeker of possibilities” and embraced the belief that “Life is Eternal.” Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband, Kary Gouge (1998) and her parents. She is survived by her brothers, John, Paul and Richard and their families.