SIDNEY – Hester D. Olds, 84, passed away early Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at her daughter’s home, following a, brief battle with cancer.
A lifelong resident of the Town of Sidney, Hester Cathryn was born Sept. 30, 1923 in Youngs, the daughter of Mary J. and Alfred “Pete” DuMond. A graduate of Sidney’s Class of 1941, Hester married Clayton W. Olds on Dec. 6, 1941.
Her focus in life was devotion to her family - immediate and extended. She was a great Mom and an inspiration to her family and friends for being an example of great strength. She took care of her family, her friends, her home and herself for many years. During this time she was also employed for 29 years at the Amphenol (Bendix) plant in Sidney.
Hester was predeceased in death by her parents, Mary J. and Pete DuMond; her parents-in-law, Lillian M. and William G. Olds; her husband, Clayton W. Olds; and her daughter, Violet N. Bishop. Also predeceasing her were the following siblings and siblings-in-law, Clarence “Steve” DuMond, Harland “Jake” DuMond, Mildred “Pink” and Louis Ruling, Cora “Pip” and Clyde Olds, Iva M. DuMond and Ella Mac DuMond DeMott.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Diane O. and Robert W. Timm of South Otselic; her grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Blower, Plattsburgh, Edward (Cheryle) Bishop, Sidney, and Cathryn (Alfredo) Escobar, Stoneham, Mass.; her great grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Blower, Alex and Jacob Bishop, and Maira Campos; her brothers, Harold A. DuMond, Sidney, and Everett “Jing” DuMond, together with Everett’s wife, Barbara, Augusta, Ga. Also surviving are innumerable cousins, nieces, nephews, and her good friends Vicky Finch and Azaela Miller.
For all the wonderful care and kindness extended to Hester during her illness, the family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at University Hospital, Augusta, Ga. and the Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County. Also, a grateful thank you to Bernie Ford, Delaware Aviation, for making it possible to bring Hester home from Augusta.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY.
Calling hours will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Landers Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Barbara T. Green officiating.
Hester, how very softly you touched our world, almost silently, only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your hands left upon our hearts.