OXFORD – Aleda N. Souders, 92, of Oxford passed away on Nov. 24, 2010 at Sitrin Health Care, New Hartford.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1917 in Fargo, North Dakota, a daughter of the late Dr. Gustav and Theodora (Soli) Nordberg. She was married on July 15, 1940 to Frank Souders, who passed away on Jan. 22, 1994.
She is survived by her children, John “Foxy” Souders and fiancé Julie McGowan of Unadilla, Susan S. Mayhew of Raleigh, N.C., and Bonnie and Thomas Emerson of Oxford; her grandchildren, Trisha and Brian Rubin of Potomac, Md., Kari and Jeffrey Becker of Villanova, Pa., James Traub of Keswick, Va., Valarie Mullins of Puyallup, Wash., Leah and Barrett Roach of Oxford, Mathew and Christy Mayhew of Charlotte, N.C., Nathaniel and Courtney Emerson of Oxford, Katie and Garry Root of Norwich, Mary and Greg Lamonica of Oxford, and Jenny Emerson and Sten Anderson of Dryden; her sister and brother in law, Ethel and Dr. Howard Beams of Sarasota, Fla., and her brother, Stanley Nordberg of Sidney. Seventeen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Thorman Nordberg, Helen Hansen, Gertrude Bruce, Ralph Nordberg, and Marlys Nordberg and her son-in-law David Mayhew. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, dearly loved by all her family.
Aleda graduated from Oneonta High School, Hartwick College in 1939 and received her Master’s Degree from Colgate University. She worked at Scintilla in Sidney during World War II. The family moved to Oxford in 1955 and she taught English and Remedial Reading at Oxford Academy and Central School for decades. She was a dedicated educator, adored and respected by her students and fellow teachers. She was a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oxford. She was a pillar of the choir, Altar Guild, ECW and helped found the Apple Fest at the Church. She was an avid reader and member of the Joseph Jefferson Book Club. She loved her vegetable and flower gardens and was a member of the Oxford Garden Club. Never one to miss a chance to chat, she especially enjoyed her friends at the Oxford Ladies Coffee Group, The Birthday Club and the NYS Retired Teachers’ Assn. She most recently resided at the wonderful Chenango Valley Home in Norwich where she received exceptional care. She will be remembered by all as a smart, stylish, sassy little lady.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oxford with the Rev. Bruce MacDuffie officiating.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Main St., Oxford.