Funeral service held for Elizabeth M. (Fisher) Lehman, 89Elizabeth M. (Fisher) Lehman, 89, of Ridgewood, South Utica and Old Forge, NY passed peacefully from the loving care of her family and friends into the hands of God on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Presbyterian Home for CNY.
Betty was born on April 6, 1922 in Rensselaer, NY, the youngest child of the late James P. and Nellie A. (Greene) Fisher. She was raised in Rensselaer and Pine Hills, Albany, NY, attended local schools and was active in her church C.Y.O. and Girl Scouts.
Mrs. Lehman was an alumna of the Academy of the Holy Names (Class of 1940) whose life reflected her school’s motto “To be, rather than to seem.”
She was also a graduate of the Albany Business College and attended the College of St. Rose. Her professional career included a position as Executive Secretary to the President of John J. Myers Company.
During WWII her work at the Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute in East Greenbush as a physicians and chemists Research Assistant focused on developing antibiotics for our Armed Forces.
On June 30, 1951 she married Merle L. Lehman at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany. They first met at West Point during an Army/Navy football game (cheering for Navy of course.)
As a young wife and mother she lived in Niskayuna prior to relocating with her family to Utica in 1957 and in 1962 to Old Forge as a summer resident.
Mrs. Lehman was active in many organizations as a member and officer including New Comers Club, Progress Club, H.R. Jones School PTA, Cub Scouts (Den Mother), The Utica Garden Club and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Guild.
Her many hours of volunteer service to the American Red Cross were especially important to her. Over the years, she got great satisfaction from assisting at many blood drives.
During retirement she and her husband were very fortunate to be able to summer lakeside on the Fulton Chain in the Adirondacks and winter gulf-side in Venice, Florida. Other interests included cooking for and entertaining family and friends, gardening, travel, meeting new people, and music-playing and teaching piano. Betty especially enjoyed planning birthday and anniversary celebrations for others. Her Florida parties were legendary.
Mrs. Lehman was a Roman Catholic and parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica, St. John the Evangelist in New Hartford, St. Bartholomew’s in Old Forge and Venice Cathedral in Florida.
While her family was the center of her life, she was always prepared to lend a hand to others. There was always room for another chair at her table.
During her three years as a resident at the Presbyterian Home, despite severe physical debilitations, Betty’s outgoing personality, sense of humor, single-mindedness (i.e., stubbornness) and caring, compassionate spirit still shone through.
This won her many supportive friends among caregivers, staff and residents alike. Her sons will always be grateful for these bonds. Fond family memories include many happy hours spent in the Fountain Court Garden and especially with the “Fireside Chatters”.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years in 2005 and by her older brother, J. Wilson Fisher of Delmar, NY in 1997.
She is survived by her three sons Mark C. Lehman of New Hartford; Michael J. Lehman of Fayetteville, NY; and Terrence L. Lehman of Utica, in addition to several cousins in the Albany area.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, the location of the funeral service has been changed. The family apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
A funeral was held Monday, July 18, at St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford, where a Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated, with Father Joseph Zareski officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Presbyterian Home for CNY Activities Fund in memory of Mrs. Lehman at P.O. Box 1144, Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413. Friends are also asked to perform a random act of kindness in Betty’s honor for someone in need. Arrangements were with the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, New Hartford.
For online expression of sympathy go to www.dfwefh.com“Mourn not too long that she is gone, but rejoice forever that she was.”
