Kellice K. Lewthwaite, who raised her children in Voorheesville where she was active in the church and community, died Saturday, July 9, 2016, at Absolut Care of Aurora Park in East Aurora, New York. She was 91.

“She lived a nice long life,” said Mrs. Lewthwaite’s daughter, Barbara Bonhoff. Mrs. Lewthwaite’s life was filled with family, beloved animals, traveling, and a good sense of humor.

Mrs. Lewthwaite was born Oct. 4, 1924 in Shadyside, Ohio, to the late Chester and Alice (née Lowe) Keating. Mrs. Bonhoff says her mother had a happy childhood growing up in Ohio.

At age 19, while working at a store in an Army base in Columbus, she met her future husband, Gordon Lewthwaite, a Long Island native serving in the Army. They were married before he was deployed to serve in World War II. Once he returned, they moved to Long Island, then Rochester, and then Voorheesville, where they raised their children.

In Voorheesville, Mrs. Lewthwaite was an active member of her community and her church. While her husband served as choir director of Voorheesville United Methodist Church, she volunteered in various activities in the church’s “ladies circle,” according to Mrs. Bonhoff.

Mrs. Lewthwaite’s daughter described how her mother would bake or cook whenever needed. She was also involved with her children’s activities, be it sports or choir, and served as “Den mother” for a Cub Scout troop.

Mrs. Lewthwaite also enjoyed working at Family Farm Insurance in Glenmont. She retired in 1988 shortly after her husband retired in order to spend more time with her family.

Mrs. Lewthwaite moved to Greece, New York, near Rochester, after her husband passed away in 1990, but often traveled both in and outside the United States. Destinations included Florida, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the western part of the United States.

“She just enjoyed seeing the world,” said Mrs. Bonhoff. Even in assisted living, Mrs. Lewthwaite wouldn’t quit her adventures, even if they were only a car ride with a friend or family member.

“If somebody wanted to take her, she’d go,” said Mrs. Bonhoff.

Mrs. Lewthwaite spent 70 summers in her cottage in Jamesport, New York, on Long Island. Avid boaters, she and her husband loved being near the water. As the center of her family, Mrs. Bonhoff described how everyone — family, friends, and friends of friends — would come to spend time with her there.

An animal lover, Mrs. Lewthwaite almost always had a pet dog, including Buddy, one of her favorite four-legged companions who had died before her. At her assisted living facility, Absolut Care, she enjoyed feeding birds and squirrels.

“She always had a smile on her face,” said Mrs. Bonhoff, describing her mother’s sweet demeanor and sense of humor, “She found goodness in everybody.”

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Mrs. Lewthwaite is survived by her brother, Richard Keating of Columbus, Ohio; and her children, Linda Gianelli and her husband, Paul, Robert Lewthwaite and his wife, Barbara, Donald Lewthwaite and his wife, Nancy, and Barbara Bonhoff and her husband, Bruce; her grandchildren, Sarah Gianelli, Michael Gianelli and his wife, Lorelle, Bradley Lewthwaite and his wife, Leslie, Ryan Lewthwaite, Laura Bubel and her husband, Jeffrey, Erin Lewthwaite and her husband, Ron Turner, and Bethany Carcone and her husband, Matthew; and her great-grandchildren, Evan, Ashton, and Hudson Lewthwaite, and Alice Carcone. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lewthwaite’s interment will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery and Memorial Park in Albany.  A date is still to be determined. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Jamesport Meeting House, Post Office Box 330, Jamesport, NY 11947.

— H. Rose Schneider