Obituary of Mona Lee Dow

Mona L. Dow (Benware) 63, of Pinellas Park Florida, left us unexpectedly from her summer residence of River Road in St. Regis Falls, NY on October 11, 2023. She is survived by her three loving children, Eli M. Dow and his partner Jessie Yu of Pleasant Valley NY, Ian J., and Briana K. Dow of Moira NY, Daniel J. and Ashley D. Dillabough (Dow) of Malone NY as well as her wonderful grandchildren Piper L. Dillabough and Cole J. Dow. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Paul and Themla Benware (Avery). She is survived by her younger sisters Pamela (Benware) and Hjalmar Gomez and Paula (Benware) and Robert Ashley along with her two dear nephews Alex Gomez, and Branden Ashley. Mona grew up on Pearl Street in Malone, NY. She loved spending time with her Aunt Anna Avery and her grandmother Edna Peno (Avery) who both predeceased her. Following high school, Mona married the love of her life Terry M. Dow, residing in Lake City Florida. She devoted her life to her nuclear and extended family deriving her happiest moments spending time with them. She was an amazing mother and devoted her later years to making exceptional memories with her grandchildren as their doting Grammie. Mona worked for many years at Key Bank in Malone, NY. She then transitioned to a career at the Brushton-Moira Central School before finishing her professional career as a program coordinator with NERIC until her retirement in 2016. Mona loved to draw, paint, and express herself creatively in many ways including dabbling in music. She was a nature lover who embraced a free spirit spending time mountain climbing, camping, and visiting beaches. Mona was most passionate about her pastime of quilting with her friends from the Adirondack Quilting Guild. She made many keepsake quilts for members of her family and friends on weekend retreats. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mona and her late mother Thelma to the Alice Hyde Medical Center Auxiliary Department for use towards a scholarship for those pursuing higher education in a medical profession. Calling Hours will take place at Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home from 10:30-11:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in Notre Dame Church. Burial will be in Coal Hill Cemetery in Westville, N.Y. Arrangements are under the care of the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service of Malone, NY. Friends who wish may leave online condolences on the Funeral Home Facebook page at Ross Family of Funeral Homes or the website at www.brusofuneralservice.com.