L. Lehmann, Mary

Mary L. Lehmann of 224 Warren Place, Ithaca, passed away at the Groton Nursing Facility on Saturday, March 19, 2005, at the age of 75.

Born on June 20, 1929 in South New Berlin, NY, Mary was the daughter of Ralph A. Lovelace, Sr. and Doris Wellman Lovelace. A resident of the Trumansburg/Enfield areas all of her life, Mary graduated from the Ithaca High School in 1946 and became the first member of her family to attend college. Mary received her Bachelor's degree in Math from Elmira College in 1950.

On January 20, 1951, Mary married the love of her life, Lawrence F. Lehmann and the couple started their family. Mary excelled at multi-tasking and was able to lovingly care and grow her family while attending Cortland State. Her perseverance earned her the teaching credential's she desired from Cortland State in 1964.

Mary's natural love of children and her innate ability to nurture them was evident, not only to her own children, but to the first graders that she taught at the Trumansburg Elementary School as well. Throughout her 17 year tenure in Trumansburg, Mary became a well respected teacher and friend to her peers and children alike. She taught with a passion that stemmed from the heart.

Mary was not idle following her retirement in 1982. Immediately, she began sharing her extensive knowledge of quilting by teaching adults this intricate craft. She participated in many quilting-project fundraisers for the Trumansburg United Methodist Church, where she was a member. Mary was also an integral member of the Tompkins County Quilter's Guild where she shared her talents and gained faithful friends. Mary could also be found busily working her knitting needles or kneading the dough for her mouth-watering, homemade bread.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry, on June 16, 2000 and a brother-in-law, Robert Wasson. She is survived by two daughters, Londa (Gary) VanDerzee of Ravena and Karen Lehmann of Ithaca; one son, Gary (Bruch) Lehmann of Binghamton; six grandchildren, Curt, Kimberly, Kevin, Christopher, David and Catherine; two great-grandchildren, Mollie and Hannah Jayne; two brothers, Ralph A. (Carol) Lovelace, Jr. of Trumansburg and Eugene (Mary Jo) Lovelace of Trumansburg; two sisters, Catherine Wasson of Poughkeepsie and Ruth Lovelace of Ithaca and several nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive their friends at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg, on Friday, March 25, 2005 from 6-8 pm.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 10:00 am with the Rev. Robyn Wernham officiating.

Contributions in Mary's memory may be directed to the Trumansburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886.

For additional information, please contact the funeral home at 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director