NORWICH – Viola Doing Cumber, 98, of Norwich, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2007, at the Gilmour Health Care Facility, just shy of her 99th birthday.
Viola was born in the Town of Plymouth on March 4, 1908 to proud parents Clark B. and Maude (Wilcox) Doing. She attended Plymouth rural schools and graduated from the Norwich High School. After her graduation, Viola entered a teaching certification program and, upon completion of the course, taught for a short time in the one-room school house on the Reservoir Hill Road in the Town of Plymouth.
On Oct. 17, 1927, Viola pursued what would become a 46-year career in banking with NBT. During this time, she was Supervisor of the Note Department and also the Safe Deposit Department. At the time of her retirement on June 30, 1973, she was the only female Vice President of NBT. Viola had a great respect for her co-workers as well as the many customers she helped through the years. To many, she will be remembered as an independent, precise woman with an underlying compassion to help anyone willing to help themselves.
On Aug. 23, 1930, Viola married Harold Cumber. They set up housekeeping on King Street in Norwich, where they shared many good memories with the neighborhood children and their families. In the late 1950s, Viola and Harold moved to the family farm on Doing Road in South Plymouth where they started an egg production and sales business. Prior to Viola’s retirement from NBT, the egg business was expanded to service many local businesses and residents. Even after the business closed, Viola and Harold are still remembered for fresh eggs and their friendly delivery service, as well as an opportunity to visit with Viola when they stopped at the farm to pick up eggs.
Throughout the years, Viola enjoyed bowling. She was a member of the Business and Professional Womens organization, and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Norwich.
Although Viola did not have children of her own, she has many surviving nephews and nieces who loved and respected her as their family matriarch. Her nephews are Raymond Doing and wife Rena, David Cumber and wife Kay; her niece Barbara Cumber Edwards, great nephews Scott Doing, Stephen Doing and wife Christy, David Doing and wife Melody, Allan Doing and wife Terri, as well as many great great nieces and nephews. In addition, Viola is survived by Virginia Powell, and special friend Rose Mary Larsson who shared a home with Viola and Harold for many years. She will be missed by her many friends.
Viola was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Harold, who passed away Sept. 26, 1998; her brother and sister-in-law Clifford and Amy (Elsworth) Doing, and nephew Charles Doing.
Funeral services for Viola will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Susan Pollizzi, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Norwich. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Viola’s memory to the Town of Plymouth Watershed Committee, P.O. Box 30, South Plymouth, NY 13844; or to the organization of your choice.