Obituary of Melda R. George

Melda R. George, age 95 formerly of N. 2nd St. in Lewiston, died Thursday May 27, 2010 in Elderwood Health Care at Oakwood in Williamsville, NY. Melda was born in Williamson, NY, the daughter of the late Charles P. and Jozina (Vanderzel) Russell. She graduated from Williamson Central School in 1932 and from the University of Rochester Nursing Program in 1936. While working at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, Melda received a scholarship to Belleview Hospital in NYC in 1937, majoring in Pediatrics. She returned to Strong Memorial Hospital to manage a pediatric wing and teach for the next 5 years. In 1941 she married Dr. Murray Pomeroy George from Batavia, NY. They resided in Ithaca, NY where Dr. George was a radiologist for Tompkins County Hospital. In 1959 they moved to Lewiston where Dr. George had a practice in Niagara Falls and was also associated with Drs. Brezing, Brezing, Taylor, Thompson, and Prout and Melda was employed as a Registered Nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, retiring in 1982. Dr. George predeceased her in 1969. Melda was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston where she was deacon 4 times and on Session 3 times. One of her major interests has always been gardening with a special interest in transplanting wildflowers to wooded areas near her home. She took many of these and planted them near the Historical Museum on Plain St. in Lewiston, an ongoing project that she undertook for many years. Melda's memberships were many and varied. They included the Tattler Club, the Monday Study Club, the Lewiston Garden Club, the Historical Association and Society of Lewiston, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Melda volunteered as a nurse for the Niagara Falls Red Cross as well as being active on its' Board. She is survived by a daughter, Virginia (Robert) Sandberg of Jamestown, NC; a son, James R. (Jayne) George of Lander, WY; her grandchildren, Nathaniel (Randi) George, Seth (Christina) George, Joffre (Ashley) Schrandt, and Justin (Stephanie) Schrandt. She was predeceased by a grandson, Kristopher; a brother, Bertrand Russell and a sister, Joyce R. DeGraff. A Memorial service will be held Friday, June 25, at 11:00 am in the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, 505 Cayuga St., Lewiston, with the Rev. Robert Bellingham officiating. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, Abiding Memorial Fund, 505 Cayuga St., Lewiston, NY 14092 or to the American Cancer Society, 101 JohnJames Audubon Pkwy., Amherst, NY 14228. Arrangements have been entrusted to the HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.