Obituary of Dora Longway

Niskayuna- Dora (Newman) Longway of Niskayuna and formerly of Wooster, OH, died peacefully on March 11, 2011. She graduated from Muskingum College having majored in speech. She received a master's degree from the University of Michigan and earned Ph.D. credits from Northwestern University. After teaching for four years in various school districts in Ohio, Dora was invited to head the Speech Department in Massillon, OH. She later joined the faculty of the Western Reserve University in Cleveland. After Western Reserve she was hired by Syracuse University and chosen to work at Utica College where her debate team qualified to represent the State of New York at a National Tournament at West Point. Dora ended her speech career at the Junior College of Albany where she spent considerable time judging both debates and speech contests. Dora was a talented flower arranger and lecturer. She was a member of both the H. Gilbert Harlow Garden Club in Schenectady and the Hillendale Garden Club in Niskayuna. She held the position of Schenectady County Chairman and went on to become Director of the New York State Federated Garden Clubs of Third District, followed by a term on that organization's State Board. Dora was the wife of Barton L. Longway who predeceased her in death on January 15, 2003 after 50 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her brother George M. Newman. She is survived by her sister-in-law Norma Newman; her nephew Jon Newman, his wife Sharon and their children, Suzanne, Jessica and Samuel; her nephew James Newman and his children, Matthew and Samantha. She was attended by her devoted friends, Gwen Graham, Dede Cummings Andersen, Nurit and Ephy Carmel. Dora and Bart were members of the Niskayuna Reformed Church where they acted as Stephen Ministers. They served enthusiastically with love, dignity and a tremendous sense of humor bringing much joy and companionship into the lives of those they touched. Dora will be remembered as a gifted, caring kind and compassionate lady who went out of her way to care for others during her lifetime. She will be missed by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy Schenectady Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309, the Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady, 53 Maple Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center, 1270 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308 or to a charity of one's choice. There will be no viewing hours as Dora had chosen to donate her body to the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical College. A Memorial Service will be held at the Niskayuna Reformed Church on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:00 P.M.