Obituary of Lee L Kiesling

Lee Kiesling had an active life, ranging from government work in the Middle East during the Cold War to library branch manager in St. Louis. Her retirement years in Elmira were no different before she passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 in Arnot Ogden Hospital after a short illness. An avid gardener and cook, Lee was active in several organizations, many as a volunteer. But even more importantly she was a loving sister, a loving step-parent, very loyal to family and friends. She was born May 19, 1933, in Ithaca. Lee graduated with a B.A. Degree in 1954 from Cornell University and worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, for several years in Turkey and elsewhere, then she returned to the U.S., settling in St. Louis, working as an executive in the city's library system. She received a Master's Degree in Library Science in 1980 from the University of Missouri. Lee moved to Elmira upon retirement. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Chemung County Historical Society and Friends of the Chemung County Library. She was a member of American Association of University Women and the International Library Science Honor Society. She was active in Wednesday Morning Club, Silver Foxes, Knitting Club, and two book clubs--Athenaeum and Wine & Dine. Daughter of Jervis Langdon Jr. and Jean Bancroft Langdon, she was also predeceased by her husband William E. Kiesling. Lee survived by a brother and sister-in-law , Jervis "Jerry" Langdon III and Mary Anne Langdon of Potomac MD; two stepchildren, William E. Kiesling Jr. of Batesburg, SC, and Paula Kiesling Whitman of River Falls, WI, a niece and a nephew, two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water St., Elmira, on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Arthur Reed conducting the service. Private burial will take place at Eastlawn Cemetery in Ithaca NY. Those wishing may remember Lee with a donation to the Chemung County Historical Society, 415 E. Water St., Elmira NY 14901 or Friends of the Chemung County Library District, 101 E. Church Street, Elmira NY 14901.