Thelma M. Pangburn

CLYDE - Thelma M. Pangburn, 85, of W. Dezeng St. died Wed. (Aug 24, 2011) at Newark Wayne Hospital after a brave battle with a brief illness.
A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in Lafayette, N.Y.
Those wishing to remember Thelma are invited to make a donation to a fund to be established in her name to provide a scholarship to a graduating Clyde-Savannah High School student to help them fulfill their dreams of going to college to become an elementary school teacher as Thelma did. Donations can be made to the Clyde-Savannah School District, 215 Glasgow St, Clyde, NY 14433 to the attention of the Thelma M. Pangburn Memorial Scholarship.
Thelma was born in Jamesville, N.Y. Aug. 24, 1926 daughter of Harold and Genevieve (Kopp) Downing. She was proud that her Downing ancestors had been traced back to England even prior to the settling of the American colonies. One of those ancestors had come to Massachusetts and fought for freedom in the revolution and with that heritage Thelma had been an active member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution. Thelma went to Cortland State College to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a teacher. With degree in hand, she traveled the country for a month with a beloved aunt and uncle before starting a career in the Clyde-Savannah School District. She later met and married Norman Pangburn and settled in Clyde, NY joining many other members of the Pangburn family on what was known at the time as "Pangburn Hill". Thelma and Norman welcomed 2
sons Kyle and Kevin. Thelma continued teaching 2nd grade for most of her 30 year career, retiring in 1984 to take care of her ailing husband Norman. Thelma enjoyed traveling when she could and had a delightful sense of humor right up to the very end. She was warm, friendly, fun loving, determined, charitable and generous with unconditional love for her sons.
She is survived by her sons, Kyle (Rose) of Clyde and Kevin (Sandy) of Latham N.Y.; two adoring grandchildren Liana and Paul of Latham; a sister, Virginia Hurley of Texas; a brother-in-law, Don Dumont of Florida; many nieces and nephews in Clyde, Florida and Texas, and a wide extended family who also loved her including Cindy Pangburn of Lyons, Thelma's former daughter-in-law who became like a daughter to her.
Thelma is predeceased by her parents, husband Norman, and sister Freida Dumont.
Arrangements by Pusateri- Canolesio Funeral Home, Clyde.
See www.Pusaterifunerals.com