Mayfred passed away on December 31, 2017 at the Samaritan Summit Village Skilled Nursing facility at the age of 101. She was born September 30, 1916 in Watertown, NY to Leo and Ordia (Bombard) Hughto and was the oldest and last surviving sibling of the family; a brother, Donald and four sisters, Marjorie (Dewey), Freda (Joles), Patricia (who died as an infant), and Rosalind (Harra) predeceased her. Mayfred graduated from LaFargeville Central School in 1934 and was the Valedictorian of her class. She attended the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown for two and a half years but was not able to finish the second half of her senior year due to an illness. Subsequently during that time at home she met Cecil Fisher and they were married on April 16, 1938. Mayfred had five children; Patricia (John Dehaan), James (Gina Hagerman), Daniel (Kathy Fitchette), Deborah (William Hampton), and Trudy (John Solar). Out of all of this came 14 Grandchildren and 33 Great Grandchildren, one an infant who sadly predeceased Mayfred.
Mayfred and Cecil Fisher owned and operated the Red and White grocery store in LaFargeville from 1938 through 1968. When Cecil’s failing health forced the sale of the store, they moved to Fairport, NY in 1968. Cecil passed away in 1971 at which time Mayfred moved back to LaFargeville. She was employed in the Jefferson National Bank as a teller for 10 years before retiring in 1982. Mayfred loved to travel, and during those 10 years she visited one of her favorite places, Disney World in Florida, several times and vacationed with her sister and brother in law, Freda and Harold Joles many times in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Mayfred married Sidney Downs of Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1982. They did some traveling of which her trip to Banff in the Canadian Rockies was her favorite along with two trips to Hawaii. Winters were spent in either South Carolina or Florida. Mayfred lived in Kingston until Sidney’s death in 1994, when she moved back to Clayton where she lived with her daughter Trudy until moving to Samaritan Summit Village in May 2013. Mayfred enjoyed her life immensely and was a fighter to the very end.
There will be no service or visitation. Burial in Grove Cemetery, LaFargeville will be private at a time chosen by her family.
Leslie Brown Varner
What a great life, 101 wow. my condolences to the family. I met her a few times as I lived in LaFargeville and my good friend Gloria Fisher was her niece. A very nice lady.
Jim Fisher
Thank you for your kind regards.
Joan Black
My prayers go out to the Fisher family
I have known them for long time
Jim Fisher
Thanks Joan. We all miss good old LA.
Ula and Alton
We are thinking of you all. Your mother was such a special lady. We were privileged to know her and to call her friend!
Tom Sanford
Debbie and family Sorry of the loss of your Mom she was a great lady, she always made me feel at home. Many good memories with the Fisher family on Mill street back in the early 60’s and Barton’s cottages. I did go to Barber School. Thanks! always a friend Tom
Jim Fisher
Thanks Tommy
Debbie
Thanks Tommy. I felt exactly the same way about your Mom and family.
Ula and Art Alton
We are thinking of you all. Your mother was such a special lady. We were privileged to know her and to call her friend!
Jim Fisher
Thanks Art and Ula. As you know, Mom loved you guys! Jim
Katina
My deepest condolences. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed.
Jim Fisher
Thank you
Margaret Canale
I am very sorry to hear of Mrs. Downs passing my prayers are with you all. My mom is on the same floor as Mrs. Down’s I had the pleasure of visiting with her and some of the other residents on the second floor. When you visit every evening it is very easy to become attached so you know when one is missing. I did not believe she was 101 amazing to me reading her Obituary she certainly was very active lady and enjoyed herself I guess that is why she lived to be 101. God bless her.
Jim Fisher
Thank you
Carol Flick
Sincere condolences to the Fisher family. I am so honored to have known this amazing lady.she was special!
Jim Fisher
Thanks Carol. Hope you are well.
Gwen Sanford Kirkby
My thoughts and prayers to the Fisher family. Your Mother was such a lovely lady. May your many fond memories bring you comfort. Sincerest Thoughts, Gwen Sanford Kirkby
Jim fisher
Thanks so much Gwen
Debbie
Thanks Gwen.
Sally Bogenschutz
Trudy, Jim and family,
My condolences to all of you on the passing of your mom. I remember her from years ago. She always had a smile on her face. I’m sure you all have lots of memories to comfort you….
Jim Fisher
Thanks Sally.
Trudy Solar
Thank you Sally
Iris and Floyd Waterson
To the Fisher family….Mayfred was certainly a special lady. We had many laughs when she worked at the bank. I last visited her when she lived with Trudy and couldn’t believe how sharp she was. Cherish the memories of your amazing Mom!
Jim fisher
Thanks Iris. Mom always thought the world of you.
Ted Ford
Very sincere condolences to the Fisher clan. I fondly remember some good times at your house while we all were growing up. Your mom was a big part of that.
Jim fisher
Thanks Ted. Very nice to hear from you. Oh, the good old days!
Jayme Spearnock
Dear Trudy, Jim and Fisher Family,
Sincere sympathy to all of you! How lucky and Blessed to have your Mom for so many years!
Hugs, Jayme and Bruce
Trudy Solar
Thanks so much Jayme
Jim fisher
Thanks Jayme. Best regards to you and your family.
Cheryl Warren
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your grandmother Ordia and my grandmother Bernice were sisters – my mother Doris and your mother first cousins. I can remember your mother making bowls and bowls of popcorn for the kids. I have not lived in New York since the 60’s and have lost track of the family. I read Newzjunky and saw the article. Thoughts and prayers with your family at this time – I am sure she was the last of the cousins.
Jim fisher
Thanks Cheryl.
Carolyn kitchen
May and I enjoyed many lunches together. I felt privileged to have her call me an adopted daughter. We all know what a fun gal May could be. Love to all my second family, pat, my adopted sister, Jim, Dan, Debbie and Trudie. Carolyn Schneider Kitchen and Dick Kitchen
Pat Mccoy
Thanks Carolyn……so many happy times between your house and my house…..a hop, skip and a jump away☺️ My mom and your mom had many Michigan poker games together. I remember the preps for those well…..she was a wonderful mother…..there is a hole in my heart right now but I know she is resting in peace.
Jim fisher
Thanks Carolyn. You meant so much to mom and our entire family. I hope you folks are doing well.
Cherie Bingeman
Thinking of your family at this sad time. I remember the trips to Ocean Isle with your Mom and the Joles family. She was a great person. Prayers to all.
Jim fisher
Thanks Cherie
Susan Parker Benas
My sincere condolences to all of you, your mom was a very special lady and I feel you were blessed to have her for so many years. I remember your parents and mine dressing up for Halloween parties, the card games that the “girls” had when my mom hosted them and many more special occasions they shared. Time has flown by and yet it seems like yesterday that all those good times happened, every time I go by your house on Mill street or where the Grocery store was on Main Street I think of your Mom and Dad and all of you. Memories are wonderful. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Jim Fisher
Susan, thank you so much for your kind words. The 50s and 60s in good Old LA are just memories now, but great ones they are. Our regards to both your family!
Debbie Fisher
Thanks Susan.
Mike &Blanche Colello
The Fisher family has lost its matriarch, but her positive and cheerful personality will never be forgotten. Manfred was a very special lady. Deepest sympathy to the Fisher family.
Jim Fisher
Oh, so nice to hear from you guys. Thank you for your note and our regards to the Colellos and the Gaileys.
Kelly and Gordon Winters
We are so sorry to hear about Mayfred. She was a very special lady who put a smile on a lot of faces! I am grateful I was able to work with her for a short time and honored that I knew her!
Jim Fisher
Thanks so much for your note. Mom always thought so much of you.
Barb and Bud Dier
Trudy, Jim and the Fisher Family–Our sincere condolences for the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. You were so blessed to have your Mom for these many years. Mayfred was a wonderful person who loved and enjoyed others and life. Thoughts, prayers and Blessings at this most difficult time. Bud and Barb Dier.
Jim Fisher
Bud and Barb. Thanks so much for your note. We were very lucky to have her for as long as we did. Hope all is well with your family.
Trudy Solar
Thank you Bud and Barb for your condolences…Mother always enjoyed visits at Koffe Kove. 101 years of a very active life❤️
Judy King Shafer
As an only child, my protective father did allow me to go across our big garden to Debbie and Trudys to play. Your Mom was always welcoming and I have fond memories of your home–Patsy singing and Jim practicing the trumpet and Danny with Dan Hutchinson in the yard or making rafts on the creek out back. Your Mom was always there but allowed us to be kids, to learn from each other and knew that that cute little Trudy would eventually stop dragging her favorite blanket around the yard. My thoughts are with you and I appreciate having your family in our backyard when I was growing up.
Jim Fisher
Thanks Judy. It’s so nice to hear from you and our other past LaFargeville friends and neighbors. I think I can speak for all my siblings, we miss that little town and all our old friends.
Trudy Solar
Thank you Judy for the great memories…Mother made our memories special I’m not dragging my blanket around but I still love my blanket close
Debbie Fisher
Thanks for your thoughts. It really was a good time back then.
Emmett Kelsey
Prayers to the Fisher Family. Ruth & Emmett Kelsey
Jim fisher
Thanks so much for your prayers. After a very long, good life, Mom is finally getting her rest.
Emmett Kelsey
Sorry For your lost. Ruth & Emmett Kelsey
Beth Mullikin
Trudy, Jim ,and family, your mom was one special lady. Many memories of your family growing just up the road from your house .Sending condolences to all. Beth Ashbocker Mullikin
Jim Fisher
Thank you Beth. It’s very nice to hear from you.
Lottie Heyl
My thoughts and prayers goes out to the family. Many memories of her, and your dad over the years. She had a good and filled life. Mayfred was my godmother. I didn’t know she was even back in area. I would have loved to see her again. My condolences to all
Jim Fisher
Lottie, thanks so much for your kind words. Our respective families interacted a lot back in the old days. I have very fond memories.
Krissy Eckert
My deepest condolences. She was a great woman as Trudy is. Thoughts and prayers
Jim Fisher
Thank you so much Krissy.
Trudy Solar
Thanks so much Krissy
Rick and Julie Harra
So sorry to hear of Aunt Mayfred passing. Had many good memories of her growing up.
Love and prayers to the family.
Jim Fisher
Thanks for your note Rick. It’s Very nice to hear from you guys. I loved Aunt Rosy!
Joel Rexford
To all of the blessed Fisher family my prayers go out to you. My mom, Eva Rexford, was so very close to your mom and we were all blessed by the special times we had in La Fargeville. Charlie called me today to let me know of your loss and Judith e-mailed me this notice.
Jim Fisher
Col. Joel. So nice to hear from you. Charlie called me today and we had a long chat about our families friendship over the years. Two families competing in business and such wonderful friends. The Rexford Family was the absolute best! We loved you all.
Judith (Judy Rexford) Scott
What a lovely, loving and fun lady – never far from our minds and hearts. She played such an important part in our “LaFargeville family” and these messages not only reflect this but also bring us all together one more time. Mayfred and mother, Eva, were so very close from very early years in their lives, child rearing and their much later years. What joy it was the last time that I got to sit with Mayfred at a family gathering at the Seaway. The thoughts that she shared about her friendship with mother and the stories of our two families growing up showed this so clearly. Of course, the memories included not only the stories of the “kids” but also of the two biggest “kids” – Cecil and Rex. There will be an empty feeling along with great joy in our hearts for having had Mayfred in our lives and this puts a big smile on my face and in my heart and I thank her for that.
Jim Fisher
Judy, words cannot express our love for your entire family! It was WONDERFUL seeing you at the Seaway a while back. I had a great chat with Charlie today. Thank you so much for your kind note. No one will ever be able to understand the super friendship we all had. Absolutely love the Rexford family.
Stan Conway
I am very sorry for the family of Mayfred Downs to hear of her passing. Mayfred was a wonderful caring person.I got the privilege of knowing her as a person as I helped her with her stay with us at SSV.She will be missed by me.
Jim Fisher
Thanks Stan. I have never had the honor of meeting you,, but I have certainly been aware of the great many wonderful things you did for our Mom. Thank you from the bottom of our heart.
Pat Mccoy
Yes…thank you Stan. You made a real difference in her life at the Summit!
Terry Rexford
My condolence to the Fisher family. I have good memories of our long family relationship that was was such an important part of our life in LaFargeville. I understand that your mom, at times, took care of Charlie and me but my memories are of a later time and actually go past our immediate family. Once when Pop and your dad and my uncle John MacDonald went to the hunting camp, Cecil and Uncle John found out they were both from Canada and went around singing “Au Canada” – not sure any deer were caught on that trip. Your mother and my mother had a good sense of humor about such stories. Good memories and a sense of humor were a big part of our lives.
Jim Fisher
Thanks Terry. It has been so very nice hearing from the entire Reexford family. You guys were wonderful friends over many years.
Carolyn Rexford Fogg
Dear Pat, Jim, Dan, Deb and Trudy and families,
While thoughts of your mom’s passing evokes sadness, there are so many wonderful memories for all who knew her. In the years since leaving LaFargeville, I have often thought about what a wonderful friendship the Rexford family shared with the Fisher family. Considering these two families, so similar in many ways, (5 children each and close in age) both in the grocery business in a small town, we have been truly blessed by this incredible bond of friendship which has spanned decades. Seeing the numerous messages you have received, is a true testimony to the impact that your mom and dad and you had on our community. We were fortunate to grow up together in that place and time. What a remarkable legacy we all received. With loving thoughts and prayers to all.
Jim Fisher
Thanks so much, Carolyn, for your kind words and a trip down memory lane. Yes, there was a great friendship between our crews. None better. I was very happy to get Charlie’s phone call the other day. That terrific old friend and your entire family will never be forgotten! By the way, I was very impressed on how you got each kid in our group in perfect chronological order! God Bless you all.
Pat Mccoy
Thank you Carolyn and all the Rexfords! What a wonderful childhood we had in La Fargeville…..I loved your fathers ice cream cones after cheerleading practice! Always felt like I was cheating on my dad☺️ I have a hole in my heart right now and these letters help a lot. Hope all is well with the whole Rexford family.
Dalys Wells Montanye
To The Fisher Family,
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Your mom was a very nice person. I remember them owing the store in LaFargeville. Use to go there all the time when I was a kid.
God Bless you all.
Stay strong for one another
Dalys Wells Montanye
Maria Wells and family
Jim Fisher
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Kevin Resch
Pat Jim Debbie Dan Trudy, Sorry to hear about your mom from all the family our thoughts prayers and memories are with you
Jim Fisher
Thanks Kevin. As you know, our families go back a long, long ways. A lifetime friendship. It’s very nice to hear from you.
Anna Wella VanTassel
Deepest Sympathy to all of the Fisher family. Thoughts and prayers go out to you!