Obituary of Mary E. Lanfear

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary Elizabeth Lanfear, who died Monday September 9, 2024 at the Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown, where she has resided since April 2024, She was 101 years old. Mary was born in Watertown NY on September 17, 1922 to Fred E. and Elizabeth M. (Phillips) Dowdell. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 1941 and continued her education graduating from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. She married the love of her life Donald V. Lanfear in Chasm Falls, NY. For many years she and Don ran the hotel in Barnes Corners, NY. They spent many wonderful years hunting and camping. Later, following Don’s retirement from Kraft Foods, they moved to Brownville NY where Mary was an active communicant of the Immaculate Conception Parish. While there, Mary was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society as well as a teacher in the CCD program for many years. She was also a member of the community group Busy BG’s. After the death of her husband in 1988, she became an even more active senior who loved traveling, reading and swimming. All one had to was to say to Mary “Do you want to go?” and she would respond “Yes!”. Destination was never a consideration.She traveled as far west as Alaska and as far east as Europe. A graveside ceremony will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday September 17, 2024 in the Glenwood Cemetery, Watertown NY. At Mary’s request there will be no calling hours. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are with the Piddock Funeral Home Inc, Adams, NY. Condolences may be left at www.piddockfuneralhome.com.