KEENE VALLEY — Edith Lewis Caron, 97, of Keene Valley, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Elizabethtown Community Hospital. She was born June 24, 1915, in Mooers, the daughter of Ralph E. Lewis and Louise (Brooks) Lewis.
Edith was a graduate of Mooers High School, class of 1929. She was a member of the girls' basketball team.
Following high school graduation, she attended Mount Ida College, where she graduated, and then Asbury College, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in 1934. Edith then attended Smith College and earned her Master of Social Work degree in 1936. Until her retirement, she worked for Milwaukee Department of Child Welfare, Clinton County Department of Child Welfare, The Child Guidance Clinic, The Elizabeth Lund Home, New York State Hospital in Ogdensburg and Sunmount State School. She was a member of the National Association of Social Work until her death.
Edith was cool. She graduated from high school during The Great Depression and there was no money available for college. Her mother convinced her father that she should go to college no matter what. So, he told Edith that if she collected a debt owed to him, she could have the money for school. Edith went to the man's office and with her parents' strength of character and the self-confidence she exhibited throughout her life, she achieved her objective and collected the money. Her father, who was a Ford dealer, loaned her a Model-T, which at the age of 17 she drove from Mooers to West Newton, Mass., to begin her years of social service.
Edith was predeceased by her husband, Elmer J. Caron of Champlain; her parents and her brothers, Ralph W. (Bob) Lewis and his wife Grace (Davis) Lewis of Lockport, N.Y., and Revis C. Lewis and his wife Anne (Gage) Lewis of Kansas City, Mo. She is survived by her two sons, John J. Caron of Leominster, Mass., and Joseph F. Caron and his wife Gong Yang (Grace) of Iola, Kan., and three granddaughters, Gong Jingyu (Jane), Celina (Jia Ying), and Louise (Jia Xing).
Edith was a member of Three Steeples Methodist Church in Champlain throughout her adult life and Keene Valley Congregational Church. She was a lifelong member of the Mooers Camp Meeting Association.
At Edith's request, there will be no visitation or services. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Rouses Point in the spring. Arrangements are in the care of Ross Funeral Home, 2586 Route 11, Mooers. To offer online condolences, please visit rossfuneralhomes.com
