Jean B. Lang,
88, passed away Thursday (Oct. 4, 2012) at Wellsville Manor Care Center
following a brief illness.
Jean was born on
Feb. 9, 1924 in Boston, Mass. to John and Margaret (Irvine) Buckingham. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in
1945 from Boston University. After she graduated from Boston University she
worked for the Encyclopedia Britannica in Cambridge MA at Harvard University
libraries and later at St. Louis Public Library. On Oct. 9, 1946, she married Walter I. Lang,
who survives.
Jean was the
librarian for Hinkle Library on the Alfred State College campus from 1962 until
her retirement in 1990. The Jean B. Lang Western New York Historical Collection
is housed at Hinkle Library and is named in her honor where she organized the
collection in 1964 and served as its curator until 1991.
In addition to
her husband of 66 years, Jean is survived by three sons, Richard S. (Laurie H.)
Lang, John (Lisa J.) Lang and Donn (Maryann C.) Lang, all of Alfred Station;
one daughter, Rebecca Lang-Graves of Alfred Station; 11 grandchildren; 6 great
grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was
predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Bruce S. and Harriet H.
Buckingham.
Jean enjoyed
playing bridge, knitting, reading and solving crossword puzzles. She has been
active in community groups such as the League of Women Voters, Andover Central
PTA president and Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Alfred, Alfred Town
Historian, and Home Demonstration group leader.
She was a member of the Amandine Club, the Baker’s Bridge Historical
Society, and the Alfred Historical Society where she served as president. Jean was instrumental in the 1970 relocation
of the Terra Cotta building to its present location. Additionally, she served as a volunteer in
the Allegany County Mental Health Association Compeer Program and LAFASNY. She was one of the first women to become a
life member of the A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company. She voluntarily wrote the “In the Alfred Sun
50, 25 and 10 Years Ago” column for many years as well as being supervisor of
the “History of Alfred, NY” book.
Visitation will
be held on Monday from 2-4 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. The
memorial service will be held on Monday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home
immediately following the visitation with Abbot William MacCrea of the Celtic
Christian Community at Locust Brae, officiating. Bagpipes will be presented by
Alexander McCrea. Burial will follow in
Alfred Rural Cemetery.
Memorial
contributions in Jean’s name may be made to Alfred or Alfred Station Fire
Departments; Alfred Box of Books, 1 West University St., Alfred, NY 14802;
Baker’s Bridge Historical Society, PO Box 13, Alfred Station, NY 14803.
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