Obituary for Sheila Athorn (McDonald)
Waterville, NY: Sheila Athorn, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Waterville Residential Care Center, joining her beloved husband Clifford Francis Athorn. Sheila is fondly remembered for her strong but gentle spirit.
Born in England on December 28, 1923, she was in her late teens when she joined the Women’s Royal Air Force. Throughout WWII, Sheila served as both a Drill Sergeant and Commander of a company of Barrage Balloon women. While serving, she met Clifford, and the two were married after the war. Sheila and her family moved to the United States in 1958 and settled in Binghamton, NY. In addition to working at GE, GAF, and McIntosh Labs, and caring for her family, she became active in her community, attending Trinity Church and participating in the local Meals on Wheels program. Sheila had a deep love of the ocean and, after her retirement, spent winters with her husband in Daytona Beach, FL.
Sheila is survived by her children, Clifford and Liz Athorn, Michael and MaryLou Athorn, Gillian and Mark Mowrey, and Yvonne and David Telep; grandchildren, Max and Michael Athorn, Alex and Eileen Mowrey, Nicholas and Natalie Telep; great-grandchildren, Claire and Jack Athorn, Andree’ and Lalo Athorn; and several nieces and nephews.
Sheila’s family would like to thank the Waterville Residential Care Center for their years of gentle and loving care, with special thanks to Brittany Barrett, a cherished friend of Sheila’s.
Memorial services and inurnment will be held at Trinity Memorial Church in Binghamton, NY at Noon on January 19, 2019.
Born in England on December 28, 1923, she was in her late teens when she joined the Women’s Royal Air Force. Throughout WWII, Sheila served as both a Drill Sergeant and Commander of a company of Barrage Balloon women. While serving, she met Clifford, and the two were married after the war. Sheila and her family moved to the United States in 1958 and settled in Binghamton, NY. In addition to working at GE, GAF, and McIntosh Labs, and caring for her family, she became active in her community, attending Trinity Church and participating in the local Meals on Wheels program. Sheila had a deep love of the ocean and, after her retirement, spent winters with her husband in Daytona Beach, FL.
Sheila is survived by her children, Clifford and Liz Athorn, Michael and MaryLou Athorn, Gillian and Mark Mowrey, and Yvonne and David Telep; grandchildren, Max and Michael Athorn, Alex and Eileen Mowrey, Nicholas and Natalie Telep; great-grandchildren, Claire and Jack Athorn, Andree’ and Lalo Athorn; and several nieces and nephews.
Sheila’s family would like to thank the Waterville Residential Care Center for their years of gentle and loving care, with special thanks to Brittany Barrett, a cherished friend of Sheila’s.
Memorial services and inurnment will be held at Trinity Memorial Church in Binghamton, NY at Noon on January 19, 2019.