LYDIA J. DOWNIE

HAMILTON: Lydia J. Downie, 102, of Wylie Street, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Berlin, Germany on October 31, 1914, Lydia was the daughter of Frieda Martha Anna Ladeburg (1881-1961) and her soldier husband, who was lost in action during W.W. I. Frieda subsequently married Wilhelm Jeserick (1869-1935), who adopted Lydia as his own daughter. Following her public school education, Lydia was employed at Wertheim, one of the largest department stores in Europe in the 1920s-30s. She was introduced by mutual friends to her future husband, Edwin J. Downie (Colgate ‘33), during his post-graduate studies at the University of Berlin in 1933-1934. The couple married in August 1934 and lived in Troy (NY), Schenectady (NY), Poultney (VT) and Leonardsville (NY), before settling in Hamilton in 1945, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Lydia proudly became a U.S. citizen on D-Day (June 6, 1944).
Immediately following W.W. II, Lydia ran a business in Hamilton for more than 15 years, a consignment store known as the “Thrift Shop.” During the 1960s-1970s, she worked for 17 years as a Librarian’s Assistant at the Colgate University Library. Her many contributions to the community included serving as a leader in the Foothills Girl Scout Council for more than 30 years. She also helped establish and direct the Hamilton Food Cupboard for which she served as Chairman of the Board for many years. Lydia was a member of the Hamilton Fortnightly Club and the Park United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities--as a Lay Delegate to several State and National United Methodist conventions, as a member of the Administrative Board, head of the Commission on Missions, member of the Choir, Secretary and President of the United Methodist Women’s Group, teacher in the Sunday School, facilitator of the Knitters’ Group, and Editor of three editions of the Park United Methodist Church cookbook. An avid gardener in her younger years, Lydia also enjoyed travelling with her husband, crocheting, and visiting with friends on her front porch.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 68 years, Edwin Downie (1912-2002), and her daughter, Edelgard Sholtz Prest (1935-1999).
She is survived by two daughters, Irmgard Downie Feola of Rome, NY and Margaret (Peggy) Downie Banks (Barry) of Vermillion, SD; six grandchildren, Tom Feola of Atlanta, GA; Patty Leonard (Tim) of Houston, TX; Elizabeth (Libby) Feola of Utica, NY; Pamela Rini (Erik) of Central Valley, NY; Karen Dolge (Brian) of Albany, NY; and Gayle Tien (Cam) of Rome, NY. Also surviving are 9 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; a niece and two nephews.
A celebration of Lydia’s life will be held at the Colgate Chapel House on Thursday, May 25, at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at the Colgate University Cemetery.
Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday evening, May 24, from 5-7 PM at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad Street, Hamilton, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be directed to the Lydia J. Downie Endowment Fund at the Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, NY 13346.