SYLVIA (KINGSFORD) MCELDOWNEY ELLSWORTH – Sylvia Mrs. “Mac” (Kingsford) McEldowney, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, after a brief passage through pancreatic cancer. She was born in Sabattus, the daughter of Llewellyn A. and Marguerite (Winslow) Kingsford. Sylvia was one of the first women to graduate from Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island) with a degree in civil engineering. Following graduation she worked in the bridge design department for the Commonwealth of Virginia Highway Department, the engine room design section of Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester, Pa., and for Simplex Valve and Meter in Lancaster, Pa. Mrs. “Mac” was active for many years in Girl Scouting – as a girl in Rhode Island, as a leader in Roaring Spring and North East Pennsylvania, and in Ellsworth, and as a board member for Abnaki Girl Scout Council. As a musician Sylvia played in school orchestras from junior high through college, and in many community orchestras, including Richmond Professional Institute, the Richmond Symphony, the Virginia Orchestra, all in Virginia, and the Swarthmore Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, and Altoona Symphony in Pennsylvania before joining the Bangor Symphony in 1969 for 26 seasons. She also played in the pit orchestra at the Grand Theater in Ellsworth for musicals and Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and was a member of the Porcupine Players and the Pantry Quartet. She also led the “Cherub” Choir for the Church of the Brethren, Roaring Spring, Pa., and the Junior Choir at the First Baptist Church, North East, Pa, followed by the “Cherub” Junior Youth and Sanctuary choirs of the United Baptist Church of Ellsworth. In 1978 Mrs. “Mac” was awarded a degree in music education from the University of Maine, following which she was strings specialist for Ellsworth city schools. She enjoyed teaching strings privately for many years. She was an active member of MUSE, Inc, the sponsoring organization of the Bangor Symphony Youth Symphony and Ensemble, and was honored to be a part of the Pierre Monteaux School for Conductors as a member of the orchestra for all but two seasons, from 1983-2004. She is survived by three children, Susan Noble and husband, Robert, of Mansfield, Ohio, Peter McEldowney of Ellsworth, Anne Strock and husband, Martin, of Grafton, N.Y.; one daughter-in-law, Terri McEldowney of Ellsworth; five grandchildren, Sonia and Amanda Noble of Mansfield, Ohio, Bethany and Sharon Strock of Grafton, N.Y., and Erin McEldowney of Ellsworth; one sister, Clarinda Andrews of Wales, Maine; five nephews, Mark, Michael, Christopher, Alden and Scott Andrews and their families of Wales; one great-nephew, Isaac Andrews of Wales; and by special chamber music friends, Ruth Grierson, Mary Abbott, Phil Person, Otho Knowles and Carolyn Ackerman. She was predeceased by her husband, E. Brice McEldowney; a son, Paul McEldowney; and grandson, Christopher McEldowney. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.22, 2004, at the United Baptist Church, 38 Pine Street, Ellsworth. In lieu of flowers donations in Mrs. “Mac’s” memory may be made to the Scholarship Fund at United Baptist Church, 38 Pine St., Ellsworth, ME 04605, Bangor Symphony Orchestra Youth Symphony and Ensemble, care of Kathy Bailey, 78 Lambert Road, Brewer, ME 04412, Pierre Monteux Memorial Fund, Pierre Monteux School, Hancock, ME 04640 or the ASTA Summer Conference Scholarship Fund, care of Maggie Cyr, 262 Golf Course Road, Newport, ME 04087. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, ME 04605
SYLVIA (KINGSFORD) McEldowney
