Elaine Marie (Muldowney) Columbus' Obituary
Elaine Marie Columbus, 80, of Rye, NH, formerly of Binghamton, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, December 16, 2024. She was born in Binghamton, NY, daughter of the late John and Elena (Pasquale) Muldowney.
Elaine was a graduate of St. Paul’s School in Binghamton, where she made lifelong friendships.
Elaine was a devout Catholic, and attended daily mass, wherever she was, throughout her life.
In her younger years she proudly held two jobs working at Clark- Cleveland Inc., and Resnick’s Clothing Store in Binghamton. Later in life, she became the Volunteer Coordinator for Catholic Charities Retired Senior Volunteer Program. After that, she coordinated the Senior Nutrition Program for Broome County Office for Aging. Outside of her employment she cared for many elderly people in need.
She was a member of the Tuesday Morning Ladies Golf League at Chenango Commons for thirty years.
She was a fifty-year member of the Ladies of Charity of Broome County, where she traveled to many national conferences and held the offices of both Vice President and President. She was awarded the Louise de Marillac Award, for which she was humbly proud. One of her favorite things to be involved with was The Nearly New Shop, where she once gave a woman the shoes off her own feet. She instituted the Ladies of Charity Fashion Show, that would continue for thirty years.
Elaine was solely responsible for staffing the early years of Binghamton’s annual Spedie Fest and Balloon Rally with volunteers. She was instrumental and dedicated to the Good Morning Broome Telephone Program, and was known to make phone calls from the golf course. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, The Samaritan House, and the Catholic Charities Golf Tournament. She served on the Advisory Board for RSVP, and the Board of Catholic Charities. She continued these service endeavors in Vero Beach, Florida at St. Vincent DePaul Society Thrift Store, and in Portsmouth, NH at Operation Blessing.
In all these things, Elaine was a role model and recruited many others to join her in service.
Elaine’s greatest source of pride was her family, and her greatest source of comfort was her faith. She would often say “Family is everything.” She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and beloved “Gramee”. She made a beautiful home for her husband and daughters, teaching us how to create loving and faith-filled homes for our families.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, James Muldowney.
Elaine is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Albert F. Columbus; two daughters, Marjorie A. (Kevin) Carpenter and Kristen M. (James) Broom; ten grandchildren, Jack Carpenter, Jill Broom, Claire Carpenter, Aaron Broom, Joseph Broom, Marcus Broom, Lucy Broom, Thomas Broom, Natalie Broom and Marianne Broom; three sisters, Carol Botting, Lorraine Allore and Kathy (James) Fitch; her sisters-in-law Kathy Muldowney, Marilyn Dupuis and Gail Chasse, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
We would like to thank Beacon Hospice for their wonderful care. We would also like to especially thank Molly Melone for her loving care for our mother.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. – 10:45 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Church, 9 Leroy St., Binghamton, NY followed by a funeral Mass in celebration of Elaine’s life at 11:00 am in the church. Private interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Ladies of Charity of The Greater Binghamton Area, PO Box 1133 Binghamton, NY 13902.
Funeral will be live streamed at www.sta-sp.org
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