Obituary of Mary Agnes Von Hagn

Age 86, of West Elmira, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at home with family at her side. Mary was born August 31, 1929, the daughter of Raymond L. and Agnes St. John Whitford. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold M. von Hagn Jr, daughter-in-law Susan H. von Hagn and great - grandson, Dominic. Mary and Harold were married on November 4, 1950 in Bath NY. Mary is survived by her nine children: Harold M. von Hagn III, Nashua NH; Mary Catherine & John R. Avery Sr., Mansfield MA; Margaret L. von Hagn, Elmira NY; Richard L. and Norma J. von Hagn, Elmira NY; William J. & Kristen L. von Hagn, Bath NY; JoAnn M. von Hagn, Elmira NY; John M. & Felicia A. von Hagn, Elmira NY; Jeffrey C. & Carol A. von Hagn, Bath NY; Patricia E. von Hagn, Elmira NY. Also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Milton J. & Roxanne M. von Hagn; sister-in-law, Carol A. von Hagn; and sister-in-law, Bettie C. von Hagn, all of Bath NY. Mary was the loving Grandmother of 23 grandchildren and 26 great - grandchildren. Mary graduated from the Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing in 1950 and began her nursing career at Bath Memorial Hospital. After moving to Elmira in 1954, Mary continued her career at St Joseph's Hospital advancing to Unit Director and Clinical Supervisor until her retirement in 1986. Mary was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes, now Christ the Redeemer Parish, for over 62 years. She was a member of the Mother's Club and the Rosary Altar Society. She constructed and maintained the gowns for the Infant of Prague as well as repairing and maintaining vestments for the priests and altar servers. Mary served as the Girl Scout Leader of the Cadet Troop 120 while her daughters were Scouts. Mary was instrumental in encouraging her five sons to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. She also served as the night nurse for several years at Camp Villa Maria on Harris Hill. After her retirement, Mary kept very busy. She was a spousal member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and sewed thousands of Hug a Bears which she donated to area Emergency Rooms and Police Departments. She also knitted hundreds of mittens each year to donate to mitten trees, schools, and Catholic Charities. As a member of the Arnot Ogden Auxiliary she knitted hundreds of baby hats for the new born nursery. Mary enjoyed collecting stamps with Harold and was especially proud of her Japanese Collection. Mary loved to work in her gardens and feed the birds. She was the strength behind her large and extended family and will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank her very special care givers of the past several years including Becky Tillotson, Laura Brown, and Connie Judd as well as several of her Granddaughters: Caitlin, Emily, and Elizabeth who spent many long hours taking care of GG. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W Water Street, Elmira, Friday, June 10, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2016. Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Donations in Mary's memory may be directed to Catholic Charities Samaritan Center, 380 S. Main St, Elmira NY 14904; Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Ave, Elmira NY 14904; or CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Rd, Painted Post NY 14870.