Obituary of Mary Richena Williams Elmen

Richena W. Elmen Mary Richena Williams Elmen, 93, of Cortland, NY, passed away on November 22, 2011, at the Cortland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a brief illness. Richena, named after her grandfather Richard, was bornin Ridgewood, NJon January 31, 1918. In 2009, she moved to Cortland from Atlanta, GA, where she had resided since 1955. A creative, witty, honest, energetic woman, she was employed as a real estate agent and secretary. She retired at age 77 from Atlantic Mutual. She was a dedicated volunteer in the community and at Peachtree Presbyterian Church where she was awarded Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for over 50 years of faithful service. As a longtime Franklinia Garden Club member, she was known for her imaginative, award-winning flower arrangements and beautiful gardens filled with perennials, azaleas and dogwood trees. She enjoyed traveling, art, reading, crafts, sewing, bird watching, playing bridge, shopping (especially for shoes), Senior University classes and trips, the Atlanta Braves, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved animals and adopted many dogs and cats, several being strays in need of a loving home. She is survived by her children James (Peggy) Elmen, Jr. and Robert Elmen of California, and Karen (Chesterfield, Jr.) Seibert of Cortland; grandchildren Katherine Seibert, Chesterfield Seibert, III and Clark Elmen; sister-in-law Beatrice Elmen; brother-in-law Ernest Jebbett; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband James Frederick Elmen, Sr. in 1982; and sisters Hazel Jebbett and Kathleen Mowery. Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland, NY. A memorial service will be Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta, GA. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Richenas name are asked to consider the Cortland Community SPCA, 879 McLean Rd., Cortland, NY 13045. So very sorry for your loss. Tom Cain