Obituary of Irmgard Downie Feola
Irmgard Downie Feola, age 87, of the Town of Floyd, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024 at the Siegenthaler Center in New Hartford.
Irmgard was born on December 17, 1936 in Granville, NY to the late Edwin and Lydia Jeserick Downie. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1954, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Math and Science from the University of Vermont in 1959, where she was the treasurer of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She began her teaching career with the Lansingburgh, NY School District, eventually moving to Rome, NY where she creatively engaged sixth graders in a variety of academic and artistic expressions. Her career commenced at the Turin Road Elementary School (now known as John Joy), serving many years at Ridge Mills Elementary School, and completing her tenure at the John Joy Elementary School.
Irmgard was a lifelong craft enthusiast, multi-talented in a variety of artistic abilities, including hand-woven basketry, sewing, and quilting. Many pieces of Irmgard’s artwork received honorable mentions, awarded ribbons, or were showcased at different events. She belonged to both the Mohawk Valley Quilters and Hands All Around groups. She enjoyed her years of membership, achieving a leadership status of president in both groups.
Irmgard is survived by her children, Thomas Feola of Rome, Patricia (Timothy Leonard) Feola of Spring, TX, and Elizabeth “Libby” Feola of Utica; grandchildren, Kendall Merrick, Bridgette Gaebel, and Sergeant First Class Christopher Bennett; several great grandchildren; a sister, Margaret “Peggy” Downie (Barry) Banks of Vermillion, SD; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Edelgard Sholtz Prest.
A graveside service will be held on Friday at 1 PM at Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Lee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Edwin J. Downie Award in Mathematics at Colgate University, C/O Jessica Reilly, Office of Advancement, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346 or at jreilly1@colgate.edu.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome.