ELLSWORTH – Sylvia Mrs. “Mac” (Kingsford) McEldowney, died Monday, December 20, 2004 after a brief passage through pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Sabattus, the daughter of Llewellyn A. and Marguerite (Winslow) Kingsford.

Sylvia was one of the first women to graduate from Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island) with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Following graduation, she worked in the Bridge Design Department for the Commonwealth of Virginia Highway Department, the Engine Room Design Section of Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester, Penn., and for Simplex Valve and Meter in Lancaster, Penn.

Mrs. “Mac” was active for many years in Girl Scouting as a girl in R.I., as a leader in Roaring Spring and North East Penn., and in Ellsworth, and as a board member for Abnaki Girl Scout Council.

As a musician, Sylvia played in school orchestras from junior high through college, and in many community orchestras, including Richmond Professional Institute, the Richmond Symphony, the Virginia Orchestra, all in Virginia, and the Swarthmore Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, and Altoona Symphony in Pennsylvania before joining the Bangor Symphony in 1969 for 26 seasons. She also played in the pit orchestra at the Grand Theater in Ellsworth for musicals and Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and was a member of the Porcupine Players and the Pantry Quartet. She also led the “Cherub” Choir for the Church of the Bretheren, Roaring Spring, Penn., and the Junior Choir at the First Baptist Church, North East Penn., followed by the “Cherub” Junior Youth and Sanctuary choirs of the United Baptist Church of Ellsworth.

In 1978, Mrs. “Mac” was awarded a degree in music education from the University of Maine, following which she was Strings Specialist for Ellsworth city schools. She enjoyed teaching strings privately for many years.

She was an active member of MUSE Inc., the sponsoring organization of the Bangor Symphony Youth Symphony and Ensemble, and was honored to be a part of the Pierre Monteaux School for Conductors as a member of the orchestra for all but two seasons, from 1983-2004.

She is survived by three children, Susan Noble and husband Robert of Mansfield, Ohio, Peter McEldowney of Ellsworth, Anne Strock and husband, Martin, of Grafton, N.Y.; one daughter-in-law, Terri McEldowney of Ellsworth; five grandchildren, Sonia and Amanda Noble of Mansfield, Ohio, Bethany and Sharon Strock of Grafton, N.Y., and Erin McEldowney of Ellsworth; one sister, Clarinda Andrews of Wales; five nephews, Mark, Michael, Christopher, Alden and Scott Andrews, and their families of Wales; one grand-nephew, Isaac Andrews of Wales; and by special Chamber Music friends, Ruth Grierson, Mary Abbott, Phil Person, Otho Knowles and Carolyn Ackerman.

She was predeceased by her husband, E. Brice McEldowney; a son, Paul McEldowney; and grandson, Christopher McEldowney.

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