Agnes Antoinette Elder

01/08/2005

Agnes Antoinette Elder, 96, of 246 Franklin St. died yesterday at North Adams Commons. Born in North Adams on Jan. 16, 1908, daughter of David S. and Matilda Durocher Trombley, she attended schools there. In 1951, she and her husband, Edward J. Elder, purchased the Natural Bridge and marble quarry property. They operated the New England's Natural Bridge tourist attraction until 1983. Mrs. Elder later sold the property to the state, which now operates it as Natural Bridge State Park. Earlier, she worked at the Beaver Street mill in the 1920s, then at the former Wall-Streeter Shoe Co. in the 1930s. She was an 82-year member of First Baptist Church and a member of its Women's Fellowship. She also was a former member of the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women's Club and the Mohawk Trail Association. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking and flowers. Her husband, whom she married in First Baptist Church in Valley Falls, N.Y., on Sept. 29, 1928, died Jan. 4, 1984. She leaves a daughter, Joyce E. Kelley of North Adams, and two granddaughters. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services to celebrate the life of Agnes Antoinette Trombley Elder, who died Jan. 8, 2005, will be conducted Tuesday at 11 at First Baptist Church of North Adams by the Rev. Joseph DeCosta, pastor. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Memorial donations are suggested for Elder Services of Berkshire County or to First Baptist Church through the funeral home. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She also is survived by a son-in-law, Gary F. Kelley; two granddaughters, Beth A. Kelley-Morandi and Jill A. Kelley-Solari; two grandsons-in-law, Marcus E. Morandi and Trent J. Solari. She was predeceased by three brothers, Harry, Lionel and Rolland Trombley, and four sisters, Laura Rivard, Gertrude Duprat, Alice Finney and Marie Shea.

Obituaries

Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Agnes Antoinette Elder

Memorials