Hope Mary Davidson

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On May 20, 2023, Hope Mary Davidson passed away at the age of 94 at Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Delhi, where she had been a resident for two years.

Hope was born on Oct. 31, 1929 in Oneonta to Rose and Pasquale Mongillo. After graduating from Oneonta High School in 1948, she was employed by the Elmore Milling Company in Oneonta. On Feb. 10, 1952 she married Douglas Davidson who predeceased her on Jan. 10, 2022. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on Feb. 10, 2021. They raised four children, Rosalyn, Diane, Mariane and Joseph.

Hope enjoyed her life on the Davidson dairy farm in the Catskill foothills that has been in the family for over 120 years. She had vegetable and flower gardens, and enjoyed picking wild blueberries and strawberries for pies, jams and jellies. She loved the birds of each season, and the Holstein cows. She was a leader in the Lords and Ladies 4-H Club where her children were members. Hope was an honor roll member of the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs and served her community for 36 years. She also belonged to the Treadwell Women’s Craft Group. Hope worked at the A.L. Kellogg School in Treadwell and served for many years on the Franklin Board of Elections. There is no doubt that she was happiest in her kitchen and loved to cook and bake. Her family often brags about the delicious Italian food she made with her own tomatoes. Hope made special Italian food for every holiday that was shared with neighbors, friends and family. She was a woman of faith and was a devout Catholic. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta early in her life and most recently St. John’s Catholic Church in Walton.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Pasquale Mongillo who came to Oneonta from Alvignano, Italy, her dear brothers Michael and Antonio Mongillo, and her dear sister Virginia Naples.

She is survived by her four children, Rosalyn Davidson Fitch (Jonathan), Diane Gooch (John), Mariane Kiraly (Andrew) and Joseph Davidson (Susan), her dear sister, Philomena Washburn, and many dear nieces, nephews and friends as well as nine grandchildren whom she loved: Heidi Gooch, John Paul Gooch, Patrick Gooch, Ashley Klein (Ryan), Matthew Davidson (Jessica), Kelsey Davidson, Ian Kiraly (Julie), Alison Kiraly Unchai (Thavut), and Eva Fitch. She had four great-granddaughters Daisy and Joy Davidson, Charlotte Klein and Cypress Kiraly who amazed her with their energy when they visited.

A celebration of her life and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated June 9 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta with Father Edward Golding officiating. The funeral will be livestreamed on the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home Facebook page. 

She will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

Donations may be sent to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oneonta, or St. John’s Catholic Church, 25 Benton Avenue, Walton, NY 13856, or the Treadwell Community Improvement Club c/o Nancy Barnes, 4115 Co. Hwy 14, Franklin, NY 13775 in Hope’s name.

Hope’s family members wish to thank the devoted caregivers at Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, especially Tom, Tammy, Tania, Angel, Jacob, Megan, Serena, Kim, Gwen and Dr. Daniel for taking such excellent care of Hope.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com for Hope’s family.