Abigail Flower (Sheldon) Buhrmaster

Abigail Flower Sheldon Buhrmaster, 100, passed on peacefully at home on October 15, 2016.

She was born at home in Schenectady, NY on February 18, 1916 to Roy Farrar Sheldon and Ethel May Flower. She moved to Scotia as a young girl and graduated from Scotia High School in 1933. She was Vice President of her high school class. She was a 1937 graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and was a lifelong member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

In 1938 she was married to Kenneth E. Buhrmaster in the Scotia Methodist Church. She was a waitress in the summers during college, at Blue Mountain Lake and worked as a cashier for her father's business, Alling Rubber Company in Schenectady. She was the Secretary, and a Corporate Officer of the J. H. Buhrmaster Co. At age 65, she began working full time there, to help her daughter stay home with her children. She retired at age 99.

Flower was a devoted member of the community, serving on the Schenectady County Rations Board and volunteering for the Red Cross during WWII. She was a founding Board Member and Officer of the Scotia Insurance Agency and a Board Member of Mohawk Pathways Girl Scouts. She enjoyed her involvement in numerous clubs and activities that include being a lifelong member of the Scotia PTA, a founding member of the 50+ Club for Scotia High Alumni, a member of the Christian Science Church, The Benedicts, Scotia Village Book Club, Eucalyptus Garden Club, Scotia Bridge Club, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), and The Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was the Starter-Timer for the Galway Lake Sailing Club from its start in 1952 until the 1980s. Flower cherished her summers on Galway Lake, and her annual vacations to Lido Beach, Florida, with her extended family. Flower and Ken shared many great memories traveling the world together. Her love of Syracuse University has been passed along to the family with all three children, as well as six grand children and one great-grandchild attending there. Flower and Ken continued to enjoy over 50 years of attending Syracuse football and basketball games.

She is survived by her sons, Louis H. (Judith) and James R. (Sandra); daughter, Lois B. Seyse (William), all of Scotia, and AFS daughter, Elisabeth Madden (Dennis) of Galway; grandchildren, John H. (Leslie), Diana L. D'Eredita (Joe), James H. (Marybeth), Laura M. Dieterich (Bob), Kenneth C. (Kathleen), Neil E. (Tina), Christopher J. (Nicole), Kevin R. (Alissa), Eric W. Seyse (Chinasa), Ann F. Stitt (Brian), Conor W. Madden (Erin) and Patrick B. Madden (Lisa Thompson) and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephews, Roy F. Sheldon (Jane) of Ridgewood, NJ and Eric Y. Sheldon (Kim) of Sykesville, MD and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, Ken, in 2007, and two brothers, Roy and Courtney.

She leaves behind many friends and admirers throughout the area and beyond. We will all remember our beautiful Flower as the most kind-hearted, patient and caring woman. The grace and peacefulness that she displayed, at all times, were both a wonder and a gift to us all. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and a magnificent role model for all. Her selfless dedication to others has forever enriched the lives of everyone around her.

As to her wishes, private services will be held later. Burial will take place in Park Cemetery, Scotia, NY.

Memorial contributions may be sent to: P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship; P.E.O. Executive Office; Treasurer's Department, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312; or American Field Service; AFS-USA Inc., National Development Office, 120 Wall Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10005; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by the Bekkering-Ellis Funeral Home in Scotia, NY.

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