Obituary of Mary I Lemon

Mary I Lemon Vestal - Mary Irene Lemon (Engle), 97 of Vestal, NY, died at home, August 26, 2018, after a long illness, surrounded by her family. Born June 18, 1921 in Herndon, PA, to Ida Irene Engle and Lawrence Engle, she was raised by her beloved maternal grandparents, Julia and William Troutman, after her mother's death when Mary was three months old. She grew up on a farm with her eight aunts and uncles and two of her four siblings, and despite the hard work, she always longed to go back. Mary met her husband, Rodman Lemon, in the third grade at Herndon Borough School, in Herndon PA. They met again after high school and married in 1943, just before Rodman shipped off to Europe in World War II. After the war, they lived in Herndon and in Philadelphia, finally settling in the Southern Tier in 1956. Friday, August 31, 2018 would have been their 75th wedding anniversary. She was a dedicated Christian and a longtime member of Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Endicott, NY, where she served in the women's group and as a Sunday school teacher. She was always ready to volunteer whenever her help was needed. Mary was never happier than when she was with her extended family. She had a great sense of humor, even about her passionate and fastidious housekeeping, which was a source of many jokes among friends and family. She is survived by her husband, Rodman, and her daughter and daughter-in-law, Deborah Lemont and Nancy Lipman, of Boston, MA. Mary will be remembered fondly by her honorary grandchildren, Devin Flagg and Serena Tritschler, and her many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her siblings, Lawrence, Richard, and Robert Engle and Jean Rau. There will be a private burial in Herndon, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lourdes Hospice, c/o Lourdes Hospital Foundation, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905 or online at Lourdes.com. The family wishes to extend deep gratitude to Lourdes Hospice for their compassionate care during Mary's final weeks.