Mary E. Longyear, 88, of North Main Streed, Port Byron, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon Nov 3, 2002, at Auburn Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, following an extended illness.
Mary was born in South Granby, one of four daughters of Marvin and Bertha Mae Lampman Miller. She was a life resident of the area. She retired from Emerson’s Foodland. She worked many years in several area grocery stores.
Mary was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Port Byron and its women’s groups. She held office on many committees. She was one of the original organizers of the Port Byron Senior Citizens and held office for many years. She was named Cayuga County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1988.
For more than 25 years, she was a member of the John Cool American Legion Post 257 Auxiliary and was an officer and Gold Star member. She was a member of the Port Byron Historical Society. Mary was also an original organizer of the local Cub Scouts and was a den mother and council member as well as being active as a 4-H leader.
She is survived by seven daughters, Rosalee A. Shaffer and her husband John of Cato, Mary L (Taffy) Bowen and her husband William, Barbara A. Decker, Frances Jane Kimak, Yvonne A. Warrick and her husband Robert, all of Port Byron, Virginia J. Boyce and her husband William of Marcellus, Diane L. Emmi and her husband Francis of Johnson City; three sons, Stanley C. Longyear and his wife Cheryl of Port Byron, Stephen J Longyear and his wife, Kathy of Cayuga, and Michael Longyear of Seattle, WA; a sister, Cora Williamson of Fulton; a half sister, Carolyn Aldridge of Mexico, NY; a half-brother, Marvin Miller of Weedsport; 26 grandchildren; and two great-great grandsons; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leslie W. Longyear; and sisters, Cynthia House and Mabel Alnutt.
Funeral services will be 11 am Thu, Nov 7 from the First United Methodist Church, South Street, Port Byron, with the Rev. Donna Young officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Port Byron. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Wed, Nov 6 at the Audioun Funeral Home, 218 Main St, Port Byron.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make contributions to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, South Street, Port Byron, NY 13140; or the local charity of one’s choice.