Don Lee Lambdin
September 28, 1935 — October 4, 2023
Cornwall, NY
Don Lee Lambdin passed away peacefully at home in Cornwall, New York on October 4, 2023. He was born on September 28, 1935 in Pasadena, California to Paris Everette and Bessie (Doan) Lambdin of Saxton, Kentucky. Don spent his youth in various parts of Kentucky before he moved to California to live with his Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Ancil near Palmdale. In 1952, after high school, he joined the Army and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1955.
After discharge Don attended college and began his long and varied career first as a mechanical engineer and then he retired at age of 75 as a Project Engineer at GenCorp. in Rancho Cordova in 2011. He worked at many government, space, and defense companies including the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, Ford Aerospace and Aeronutronics in Newport Beach, Northrop Corp. in Pico Rivera, and finally at GenCorp. Aerojet in the Ordnance and Explosives Division.
In his lifetime Don was a passionate sailor and spent several years traveling to Hawaii, Guam, Taiwan, and numerous locations in the Southern Pacific. He also obtained his Real Estate license in Guam before his return to California.
Don was predeceased by both his parents, his brother Bill, and his sister Modene. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Patricia Ellen (Flint) Lambdin, his son David Lee (spouse Glinda), and daughter Ariana Michelle (spouse Jorge), as well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Services and cremation will be private and Don requested his final journey to end at sea. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Don’s name to a veterans organization of your choice.
Melanie A. Mulroy-Robinson
July 19, 1949—October 28, 2023
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Melanie Ann Mulroy-Robinson, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY died at home, as was her wish, surrounded by her family, on October 28 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 74 years old.
Born in Syracuse, NY on July 19 1949, Melanie grew up in Marcellus, NY, the second of four children born to the late Virginia (Spaulding) and John Mulroy, former County Executive of Onondaga County.
Melanie received her BA from SUNY Potsdam and taught at Haverstraw Elementary School until 1975. While home raising her three daughters, Melanie became a certified Lamaze instructor and birthing coach and co-founded a business with her friend Kathryn Rohe. Later she worked in outreach at RECAP in Middletown counseling some of Orange County’s most vulnerable residents and connecting them with services. Melanie received her MS in Education for the Gifted from the College of New Rochelle and taught the Rainbows Gifted and Talented Program in the Cornwall Central School District. In 1996, Melanie received her Professional Diploma in School District Administration from Iona College and became the Assistant Principal at Cornwall Elementary. It was during this time that she had the privilege to work with her friend and mentor, Jeanne Theis. Melanie later became the principal of Cornwall Elementary. From 2002-2007 she worked as the principal at North Main Elementary School in Monroe. During her career as an educator and administrator, she made wonderful friendships with her colleagues. Many fondly remember her as a “tough leader with a generous heart” who was always” present and available for her staff when needed”. In the words of Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel”, a sentiment expressed by many who knew Melanie.
Melanie proudly served on the Board of Education in Cornwall for 11 years, serving as vice president from 2009-2012 and as president from 2012-2014. She was a passionate advocate for children, as well as educators, and worked tirelessly to ensure their voices were heard.
Melanie is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas Robinson at home; daughters, Kelly Robinson-Finn (Kevin Finn) of Cornwall-on-Hudson, Leah Robinson Heckles (Matthew Heckles) of Wilmington, DE and Amanda Robinson (Richard Ceretti) of Beacon, NY; her beloved sisters: Melinda Wax (Robert) of Santa Barbara, CA and Martha Mulroy (David Manfredi) of Syracuse, NY; her Aunt Mary Kowta (Mark) of Chico, CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Gretchen Rusk of Stroudsburg, PA.
Melanie was a devoted and loving grandmother and is survived by her eight grandchildren: Molly, Jack, Matthew, Nicholas, Patrick, Charlie, Ruby and Luna. She was a constant presence at the sidelines of their equestrian shows and baseball, football, and soccer games; she was their number one fan. Nothing made her happier than a house full of grandchildren on holidays, and she never tired of playing games, baking, reading bedtime stories, and taking trips to Cape Cod, Lake Placid, the Sagamore and Longwood Gardens with her beloved grandchildren and their families. She was predeceased by her brother Kevin Mulroy.
Melanie loved to travel and for more than 20 years, she and Tom enjoyed annual cycling vacations. They biked in France, Italy, and Spain, and enjoyed scenic tours in California, the Finger Lakes and Maine, eating fabulous meals and drinking wine along the way. These adventures, shared with their dearest friends and family, were some of Melanie’s fondest memories.
Perhaps the most visible measure of Melanie’s well-lived life are the countless, life-long friendships she enjoyed. To her friends, she was honest, loyal and devoted; she loved nothing more than to entertain and visit with friends. Melanie was an avid reader and founded her beloved book club in October 2003. She enjoyed her weekly scrabble games with friends and never missed an episode of Jeopardy with Tom. In fact, according to her daughter, the night before she died, Melanie got the final jeopardy question correct (it was about the Kennedys, which is only fitting given her long time interest in the famous family).
Melanie was known as a strong, smart and outspoken woman. She felt very deeply about causes that were important to her, and was a long-time supporter of Planned Parenthood, Moms Demand Action and was a strong advocate for the environment. She was not one to shy away from a debate and lived her life with conviction and honesty; she spoke out against inequities and championed for reform through rallies, campaigning for candidates, and through her generosity to charities. She did not suffer fools and would always speak the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She loved to be busy and in charge and was making lists and ordering people around until the day she died.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4th at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., 337 Hudson Street Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 5th at the funeral home.
A private burial will be held next year in Marcellus, NY.
Memorial Contributions in Melanie’s name may be made to the following charities: Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, PO Box 3489, Newtown, CT 06470, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, HHNM, PO Box 451, Cornwall, NY 12518 or Support OCC Students, Onondaga Community College, OCC Foundation, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com.