Amy Carolyn Douglass

Amy Carolyn Douglass, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in Bellingham, WA.

Amy was born in Oceanside, NY on May 25, 1937, to Eugene and Hazel Smith. She grew up in Baldwin, NY with her older brothers Gene and George, and Sandy Pete, the family cat. 

Amy was a gifted musician with a beautiful soprano voice. After graduating from Baldwin High School in 1955, she attended Potsdam College to train in operatic singing, piano performance, and music education. At social gatherings, she delighted family and friends with her renditions of folk and popular songs. She sang in church choirs throughout her life; after moving to Illinois, she became a greatly admired soloist at the Federated Church of Sycamore.

Amy was a lifelong learner. As a young woman, she earned an Associates in Secretarial Sciences from Keuka College in New York. Later in life, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from North Central College in Illinois. After graduating from North Central, she participated in the college’s adult enrichment classes.

Amy inherited her parents’ strong work ethic. Before her children were born, she worked as an administrative assistant. For decades, she dedicated herself to mothering her children and keeping an attractive, immaculate home. In later years, she worked in accounting with the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office.

Everyone who met Amy commented on her warm and beautiful smile. In the assisted living community where she spent her final years, she was known as “the lady who is always smiling.”

Amy enjoyed reading, playing bridge, swimming, YMCA fitness classes, and spending time with her family. She loved giraffes. 

Amy’s dearest priority and greatest achievement was being a loving and much-beloved mother and grandmother. Her love for her children and grandchildren was abundant and unconditional. Never was there a time when she did not surround and uplift them with the warmth of her love.

Amy is preceded in death by her mother Hazel McDermott Smith, her father Eugene Smith, her brother Gene Smith, and her cousin Norma Hess.

She is survived by her children Ellen Douglass, Carolinda Douglass and husband Ted Moen, and Richard Douglass and wife Jennifer Ladisch-Douglass; and by her grandchildren Ben Dougen and wife Jessica, Ian Dougen and wife Caitlynn DeLap, Noah Dougen, Dylan Douglass-Biddle, Hazel Douglass-Biddle, and Jason Douglass.

Amy is also survived by brother George Smith, cousin Ronnie Hibbard, six nieces and nephews, and fond friends in Sycamore and Downers Grove, IL. Special notice and gratitude go to niece Julie Fuller, who generously helped organize the services for Amy.

Private services will be held in Penn Yan, New York, where Amy’s ashes will be buried with her parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make donations to one of Amy’s favorite charities, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To donate, please click on the link below.