Wilma Dondero

Wilma Irene Mehlenbacher Dondero, 92, a resident of Kendal in Ithaca, wife of Dr. Norman C. Dondero, passed away on Monday, June 13 peacefully at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca surrounded by loving family members. She was born on June 30, 1918 in Wayland, NY, the second of three beloved daughters of the late Fred and Gretchen Walker Mehlenbacher and grew up on the family farm in Wayland. She graduated from Wayland High School and from Cornell University's School of Home Economics in 1940. She ran a greenhouse and florist business in Wayland, NY in 1949. She also received an M.S. in education from Cornell in 1954 and pursued further post-graduate work in library science at Rutgers University. She worked in the Ithaca College Library. Wilma was a resident of Wayland, Enfield, and Kendal, and with her husband, Professor Norman Dondero, she lived in Oregon and New Zealand and participated in Elder Hostel trips world-wide. Wilma was predeceased by her sister Lorma Ellen Mehlenbacher in 1920, her husband Stephen E. Hyde in 1948, and her sister Ruth Mehlenbacher Warner of Watkins Glen, NY in 1995. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Norman C. Dondero Ph.D., her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen W. and Judy (Prine) Hyde of Lake Tahoe, CA, four beloved nieces Kathleen Warner (David) LaMoreaux of Burdett, NY, Cynthia Warner (John) Terry of Watkins Glen, NY, Patricia Warner Kehe of Watkins Glen, NY, and Barbara Warner (Christopher) Deane of Elmhurst, IL, and several great-nieces and -nephews. Wilma loved travel, camping, canoeing, birding, companionship and family. She will be remembered best for her intelligence, integrity, kindness, and commitment to family. There are no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 112 6th Street, Watkins Glen, NY at 11 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 with Deacon Tom Williams officiating. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family. Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home of Watkins Glen, NY will be assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Finger Lakes Land Trust or Heifer International.