IN MEMORIAM: Doris H. Fahy, 95;

Rang Handbells At National Level

SIDNEY – Doris H. Fahy, 95, of Sidney, a teacher in Norwich City Schools and avid bellringer, including 10 years with the Buckingham Ringers at Oneonta’s First United Methodist Church, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 10, 2015, at Tri-Town Regional Hospital.

Doris was born on March 9, 1920, daughter of the late Frank Waldo and Georgia Effie (Smith) Howe in Sidney.

She graduated from Sidney High School in 1938 and went on to receive her bachelor’s (1943) and master’s (1963) in education from SUNY Oneonta.

In 1943, she began teaching first and second grades at South New Berlin Cental School, joining Norwich schools in 1946, where she taught kindergarten, first and second grade, and special reading until her retirement in 1980. Following retirement, Doris was a member of the NYS Retired Teachers Association and the Chenango County Retired Teachers Association.

She was married to Robert J. Fahy on Aug. 28, 1983. He predeceased her in May 1986.

Doris was a dedicated member of Sidney United Methodist Church where she sang in the Chancel Choir for 83 years and played in the Bell Choir.  In addition to the Buckingham Ringers, she rang in several regional and national handbell festivals at colleges in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Doris was also instrumental in the purchase of three octaves of Schulmerich Handbells for the Sidney United Methodist Church. She was a member and past president of both the Norwich Monday Evening Musical Club and the DAR Sidney Chapter.

In her earlier years, Doris studied the piano and violin, and also played violin in some of the Tri-town Theatre musicals.

Doris is survived by: niece, Karen Stoddard; niece, Nancy Malone; nephew, Robert Howe; nephew, Richard Howe; grand-nephews; Stephen Peck, Gary Peck, and Alan Peck; step-children: Jean (Robert) Hayes, Thomas (Linda) Fahy, Mary (Donald) Dillon and Peggy (Gerald) Parker; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as numerous second and third generation nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at the Sidney United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty Street. Funeral services will begin at 12 noon with Rev. Tom Pullyblank, pastor, presiding. Those wishing to share memories of Doris are invited to speak or write down their thoughts for Pastor Tom to read.

Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Doris’ memory may be directed to the Delaware Valley Humane Society, 101 E. Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.