Lettie J. Davey

Lettie J. (Meland) Davey, formerly of Medina, died June 4, 2023 after a lengthy illness. Born June 16, 1928 to the late Carl and Susie (Allen) Meland, she and her twin brother, Lester were the youngest of seven children. Lettie graduated from Medina High School in the class of 1946. On April 22, 1950 she married the late Robert C. Davey. Lettie loved working outdoors and cutting her lawn, planting a garden with her late husband. She was known for her baking skills and love of conversations with people she knew, as well as strangers. She always put her three daughters Susan, Sally and Sharon ahead of herself. 

Lettie grew up in a family of hard workers. She and Lester worked as teens on the Muck, Muchow’s Flower shop, and as a telephone operator at New York Telephone Company. She eventually worked in the Medina School District cafeterias as a dishwasher, cook, baker, cashier and lunch lady.  Later, Lettie was a donut maker at George Wolcott’s Dairy before working at Fisher Price Toys in Medina as an assistant supervisor.  After the death of her husband, Lettie continued working part time at Case Nic Cookies, Orleans County Office for the Aging, Office of Mental Health Services, and later for DA Joseph Cardone.

Family was very important to Lettie, especially enjoying the time with her three grandchildren in the pool and watching her six great grandchildren grow.  She made holidays special for everyone with her generous spirit and love of food and people.

After surviving cancer, Lettie spent the last years of her life with her daughter, Susan, in Buffalo.  She enjoyed the love and conversations with her new family members and neighbors, as well as her GLYS/GAYLA friends. Lettie loved to go out for lunch and to Elmira to see her adopted family, the Tournours. She was thankful for knowing Chris and Bud Smith, Kristin, Todd and Jake Yotter (her “special boy”) and Kati Walsh who all helped with her care during her final days.

Lettie was predeceased by her husband, Robert in 1994; all of her siblings and their spouses, Francis (Nettie) Meland, Dorothy (Ben) Gifford, Gerald (Helen DiGiulio) Meland, Junior (Carol) Meland, Wayne (Anella) Meland and Lester Meland. She is survived by her loving daughters, Susan Davey Tournour, Sharon Houseknecht and Sally Walsh (late Bill Shoemaker); beloved grandchildren, Jessica Pullano (Michael Heasley), Peter (LeAnn) Houseknecht and Katie Houseknecht; great-grandchildren, who made her last years special, Christopher Pullano, Savannah Jo Thompson, Maggie Heasley, Skylar Houseknecht, Hannah Heasley and Wyatt Houseknecht; special “son”, Edward (Vicky) Houseknecht; and many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss Lettie’s smile and laugh.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. Her memorial service will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be done privately for the family in Lynhaven Cemetery, Lyndonville.

The family gratefully declines flowers and requests memorial donations be made to the Hospice Foundation, PO Box 590, Buffalo, NY 14240 or at www.hospicebuffalo.com.