Obituary of Jane E. Ordway

Loudonville-Jane Ordway died unexpectedly on September 13th, three days before her 95th birthday. A woman devoted to her family and serving others, Jane was born in Troy, NY the daughter of Dr. Arvie and Maglona Eldred. She attended Troy public schools and graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in 1937. In 1938 she did graduate work at Smith College, and in 1963 completed additional graduate work at Russell Sage College in Elementary Education. Jane was married to Thomas Ordway, Jr. for 39 years. She is survived by Susan and Thomas Lyons of Latham, NY and Nancy and David Bullock of Rye, NY. She is also survived by her four grandchildren; Thomas Lyons, William Lyons, Peter Bullock, and Meghan Bullock. Her family remembers her as a wonderful friend and proud mother and grandmother. All who were fortunate enough to have known Jane were touched by her sincere wit, charm, generosity, and sense of humor. She was a remarkable woman, with an ability to inspire others to seek the best within themselves. She will be dearly missed. Jane was Vice President of the Junior League of Albany from 1952 to 1954. She was president of the Board of the Northeastern NY Speech Center in 1955 and 1956, president of the board of the Albany Senior Citizen Center from 1956 to 1958, and served on the Albany Community Chest Executive Committee from 1958 to 1963. Mrs. Ordway, a former member of the Albany Guardian Society (since 1980), served as its president from 1988 to 1990 and from 1994 to 1996. She also served as president of the Board of Beverwyck Retirement Community from 1989 to 1998. Finding strength in working with others, Jane was the driving force behind the successful partnership of The Eddy and Albany Guardian Society which produced Beverwyck, Albany's first full-service retirement community. In addition, Jane was a Trustee Emeritus of The Eddy Board of Directors. Jane taught at the Albany Academy for Girls from 1938-1940. From 1962 to 1978 she taught 4th grade at Forts Ferry School in the North Colonie Central School District. She retired from teaching in 1978. A memorial celebration will be held on Friday September 17, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Albany State & Willett St. Albany. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 5-7 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, Ltd., 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham. Interment will be in the Rensselaerville Cemetery in Rensselaerville, NY. In lieu of flowers donations to the Huyck Preserve P.O. Box 189 Rensselaerville, NY 12147 or the Northeast Health Foundation 2224 Burdett Ave. Troy, NY 12180 For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com