Obituary of Doris A. Levin

Doris A. Levin, 98, formerly of 1615 Southwestern Drive, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Heritage Village Rehab & Skilled Nursing. She was the widow of Carl W. Levin, whom she married June 27, 1944 and who died August 25, 2001. Doris was born December 6, 1916 in the family farm home in Busti, NY, a daughter of the late Andrew and Augusta Swanson Anderson. She was a 1934 graduate of Jamestown High School and received her Bachelor's Degree from Albany State College in 1938. She also took graduate classes at Syracuse University, New York University and Chautauqua Institution. She began her library career from 1938 until 1942 at George Washington Junior High School in Endicott NY. She then served as librarian of Chautauqua Central School from 1942 to 1944, substituted in Jamestown Public Schools, and was employed from 1956 until 1973 as high school librarian of Southwestern Central School. Doris was a long time active member of Busti Federated Church, serving as Sunday school teacher and a counselor at Church Camp at Allegheny State Park for several years. She also helped sponsor the Vietnamese family of Lee and Anh Le who became U.S. citizens while living in Busti, and helped host Fresh Air children from New York City. She was an active member of Philathea Class, doing White Cross work for African Missions and local sewing projects; former member of the YWCA, helping initiate the annual book sale later assumed and continued by the Prendergast Library; was one of the first teachers for the Literacy Volunteers now at the Prendergast Library; served on the board of and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels in Jamestown and Lakewood; was a 10 year volunteer of St. Susan's Center; volunteered in the library of the Fenton History Center; secured lawn mowers for Swedish cemetery lots and the Old Swedish Mission Church in Busti; was a member of Beta Lambda Chi (Busti Literary Club); and was active in Republican politics and fundraising, having served as a member of the Busti Republican Committee. Doris enjoyed her memberships in the American Association of University Women, American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, Jamestown Audubon Society, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and the Marvin House. In 1980, she was recognized for her many volunteer activities by being chosen Jamestown's Woman of the Year by the Inter-Club Council, as nominated by the American Association of University Women. Doris is survived by two sons: William D. (Laurie) Levin, MD of Jamestown RI and Dean A. (Debbie) Levin of Bridgewater NJ; her "niece-daughter", Karen E. Livsey of Falconer NY; four grandchildren: Sten Axel Levin, Ingrid Anne Levin, Christopher Carl Levin and Peter Andrew Levin; and four great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Carl, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha A. Brown, Helen A. Raines and Bernice A. Denn and a brother, Henry Anderson. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Busti Federated Church. Pastor Lee O'Brien will officiate. Burial will be in Busti Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Busti Federated Church, 875 Mill Road, Busti Historical Society, 3443 Lawson Road, Fenton History Center, 67 Washington St., all Jamestown, NY 14701; or to a library of one's choice.