Mary Katherine "Kitta" (Surma) Langworthy, 86, of Sheridan passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026 at the Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk. She was born in Dunkirk on November 1, 1939, the daughter of the late Alvin and Irene (Frankiewicz) Surma.
The middle child of three, Mary grew up in a lively neighborhood in Dunkirk's Fourth Ward. While still in high school, she cared for her beloved mother, Irene, after she suffered a major stroke. Mary was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, Class of 1957. The year following her high school graduation was a momentous one; she lost her mom and got married within a matter of months. She and Richard wed on September 13, 1958 at the Forestville United Methodist Church and moved to their house on Route 20 in Sheridan.
Mary worked as a telephone operator at the former New York Telephone Company in Dunkirk for nine years. For many years, she worked as an election inspector in the Town of Sheridan, leaving before sunrise on Election Day to assist voters at the polls. Her excitement was palpable every year as the big day approached. For most of her adult life, Mary made her home in Sheridan, where she raised two children with her husband, Richard, and invested herself wholeheartedly in community activities.
Mary became a devoted mom; attending countless games, concerts, Scouting events, and doctoring the family through illnesses big and small. She was her children's biggest fan and wisest counsel. In 2023, Mary and Richard were honored as the two longest-running members of the Sheridan Historical Society. Mary's involvement with this organization began over 25 years ago, when a small group of women started collecting local memorabilia and successfully petitioned for a charter from the New York State Board of Regents. Mary was elected President, a position she held intermittently for 15 years. She also served as Vice President and Secretary before retiring from office in 2022. In 2015, she and Richard played a pivotal role in the SHS's purchase of the former Sheridan Town Hall, which now houses the Sheridan Historical Center. She was a longtime member of the Sheridan Democratic Club, with Richard, and a former member of the Sheridan Happy Seniors.
Mary enjoyed crafts, yard sales and antique auctions. She found joy, later in life, in time spent with her grandchildren and availed herself of every opportunity to cheer them on. She saw them off to school many mornings and was ready with a snack when they got off the bus. One of the values she imparted to her kids and grandkids was a deep sense of civic responsibility. Mary will be dearly missed by those who survive her.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Richard Langworthy; a daughter, Traci (Thomas Whitney) Langworthy of Jamestown; a son, Todd (Judy) Langworthy of Fredonia; a sister, Barbara Bajdas, a resident of St. Columban's on the Lake in Silver Creek; a granddaughter, Maitland (Franklin Heinzmann) Langworthy; a grandson, Travis Langworthy; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John Surma; and her half-brother, Michael Egan.
Friends are welcome to call on Friday, February 27 from 4:00-7:00 PM and Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street in Forestville, where a prayer service will be held at 12:00 PM with Rev. Michael Pollock, Pastor of Gage Chapel Community Church in Smith Mills, officiating. A memorial gathering will take place on Sunday, June 7 at 1:00 PM at the Sheridan Historical Society, 2702 East Main Road (Route 20) in Sheridan, where friends and family are invited to share memories of Mary.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Sheridan Historical Society, PO Box 95, Sheridan, NY 14135.
To post condolences or memories, go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
