Thelma Arlene (Gummere) Desmond

Thelma G. Desmond, 96, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood. She was born May 30, 1913 at Stratton, Nebraska to George W. and Rosa Jane (Boston) Gummere. Thelma graduated with honors from Benkelman High School in Benkelman, Nebraska with the class of 1930. She attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver and well as Kearney State. She taught school and worked as a bookkeeper prior to moving to Washington, D.C. in 1938. She was united in marriage to Fred E. Desmond on January 16, 1958, at New York City. She worked for the federal government as an administrative assistant from 1938 to 1972. While working for the government she advanced to the highest position a women could hold at that time. Thelma worked in the Civil Service Ranks in the office of the Regional Director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. During this time Thelma and Fred lived in Greenwich Village, New York. They returned to Nebraska to the Lexington area in 1978. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, was active in senior bowling and loved playing bridge. Survivors include a stepdaughter: Margot Hall of Oceanside Long Island, New York One stepson: James Desmond of Venice, Florida One grandson: Peter Hall of Stowe, Vermont One local niece: Shirley Reynolds of Lexington, Nebraska As well as grand nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred in 1988, and two brothers Vernard and Ellis. Funeral Services will be Friday, September 25, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington with Reverend Todd Karges officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009, from 3-5 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the Lexington Public Library. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.