Obituary of Mary E. Langendorfer

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Langendorfer, 93, long-time resident of Bath, NY, died peacefully in her sleep recently following an injury and extended related illnesses. A native of Strykersville, NY, Betty was born to Margaret and Norbert, the oldest of five siblings and a member of a large extended family of farmers and entrepreneurs. She graduated from Arcade Central School and then was the first member of her family to receive a college education, earning her B.S. Degree from Cornell University. Following college, she attended the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy, earning certification as one of the very first occupational therapists in the country. During and following WWII, she was employed as an OTR by several VA hospitals around the country including the Bath VA Center. While working at the Bath VA, she met and married the late John Langendorfer. They were married for 47 years and raised a large and rambunctious family of 8 children. Together they were proprietors of an Esso gas station and then "Langendorfers' Little Store on Route 54." After the children were grown, Betty became a real estate salesperson and broker, retiring in 1999 in order to devote more time to her numerous civic and service activities, travel, and her growing extended family. She particularly enjoyed her many volunteer activities that included decades of service to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (now St. John Vianney Parish) and over 65 years of volunteer service to the American Red Cross as a first aid instructor and disaster relief worker ( including time spent at Ground Zero in NYC in 2001 and Katrina in New Orleans in 2004). Her civic contributions included active participation on a number of committees for the Village of Bath, most notably the Shade Tree Committee of which she was an active member until her death. She was a master gardener, a regular participant in Bone Builders, an AAUW member, an avid reader and PBS watcher, and a proud member of the Democratic Party. Betty was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister, Jane, and brothers, William and Thomas. She is survived by her sister, Barbara (Edward) and sister-in-law, Rita, plus eight children, Stephen (Jeanne), Susan (Allen), Thomas (Susan), Peter, Carol, Joanne (Michael), Charles (Kelly), and Christine (Eric) along with 19 beloved grandchildren and 15 cherished great-grandchildren (and counting). She had so many dear nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews she lost count! A Mass of the Resurrection memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Church, Bath, NY, on Saturday, April 11, 2018 at 11:00 AM. All are invited to attend a celebration luncheon in O'Malley Hall immediately after the service. Burial will be private at a later date so we can spend time celebrating Betty's life with her friends and family. Betty requested no flowers please, but she would welcome donations to the American Red Cross, your local parish, local food bank, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made at www.fagansfuneralhome.com.