Emye Lu Benavage Sommers

December 15, 1951 - December 20, 2018

Emye Lu Benavage Sommers, age 67, of Lorain, passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, Lorain. She was born on December 15, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Betty (nee Jeambert) Benavage, and has lived in many cities throughout her life, but always callingd Lorain “home.” She is a 1970 graduate of Lorain High School. After graduation, she went to work for the Lorain Telephone Company. She first started her career there as a telephone operator and handled calls for repairs. Eventually she became a pioneer for women by becoming an installer and repairman, being the first woman at that time to hold that position. While working for the phone company, she attended the Ohio School of Broadcasting, where she earned a third class Federal Communications Commission license. After working at the phone company for 7 years, she went on to continue her education at the Lorain County Community College, where she earned her Associates Degree. Eventually, Emye went to work for NASA for 25 years where she was employed as an electronics systems mechanic. After retirement, she moved to New Jersey to be a nanny for 5 years for Julia Leone, who considered Emye as another mother to her. Emye enjoyed boating, swimming, dancing, and all kinds of music, especially going to rock concerts. She is going to be dearly missed by her beloved husband, Keith A. Sommers, her sister-cousin, Margaret Wiegand, stepson, Shannon, stepdaughter, Monika, sisters-in-laws, Linda Toth and LaVonne Fearer, and her many nieces and nephews. Emye was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings; Lola White, Dennis Toth, and Eugene Fearer. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 27, 2018, from 4 -8 pm, in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, where her funeral service will be held on Friday, at 11:00 am. Friends will also be received on Friday morning, before her funeral service, beginning at 10:00 am. Rev. John Jackson, Chaplain for Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to know that everyone makes a donation to their favorite charity in Emye's memory. To send an online condolence, go to www.dovinreberjones.com.