Mary K. Langworthy

Mary was born on Nov. 1, 1939, in Dunkirk, to Irene Frankiewicz and Alvin Surma. The middle child of three children, she grew up in a lively neighborhood in Dunkirk’s Fourth Ward. While still in high school, she cared for her beloved mother, Irene, after she suffered a major stroke. She also took a job as a telephone operator at the former New York Telephone Company, where she went on to work for nine years.

The year following her high school graduation was a momentous one. She lost her mom and got married within a matter of months. She and Richard wed on Sept. 13, 1958, at the Forestville, N.Y. United Methodist Church and moved to their house on U.S. Route 20 in Sheridan.

Once children arrived, she became a devoted mom, attending countless games, concerts, and Scouting events and doctoring the family through illnesses big and small. She was her children’s biggest fan and wisest counsel. She found joy, later in life, in time spent with her grandchildren and availed herself of every opportunity to cheer them on. She saw them off to school many mornings and was ready with a snack when they got off the bus.

One of the values she imparted to her kids and grandkids was a deep sense of civic responsibility. For many years she worked as an Election Inspector in the Town of Sheridan, leaving before sunrise on Election Day to assist voters at the polls. Her excitement was palpable every year as the big day approached. She was also a longtime member of the Sheridan Democratic Club, together with Richard.

In 2023, Mary and Richard were honored as the two longest-running members of the Sheridan Historical Society. Mary’s involvement with this organization began over 25 years ago, when a small group of women started collecting local memorabilia and successfully petitioned for a charter from the New York State Board of Regents. Mary was elected president, a position she held intermittently for 15 years. She also served as vice-president and secretary before retiring from office in 2022. In 2015, she and Richard played a pivotal role in the SHS’s purchase of the former Sheridan Town Hall, which now houses the Sheridan Historical Center.

Mary will be dearly missed by those who survive her: her husband of 67 years, Richard Langworthy; a son, Todd (Judy) Langworthy of Fredonia; a daughter, Traci Langworthy (Thomas Whitney) of Jamestown; and a sister, Barbara Bajdas, of St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home in Silver Creek. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Maitland Langworthy (Franklin Heinzmann, fiancé); a grandson, Travis Langworthy; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her brother, John (Maria) Surma of West Seneca, and her half-brother, Michael Egan.

Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a prayer service will be held at 12 p.m. with Rev. Michael Pollock, pastor of Gage Chapel Community Church, Forestville, officiating. A Celebration of Life is planned later in the spring. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Sheridan Historical Society, P.O. Box 95, Sheridan, N.Y. 14135. To post condolences or memories go to https://rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.