Susan Jane Langtry Dunham

Susan Jan e Langtry Dunham, Calaboga Road, Hammond, NY passed away on her own terms, June 12, 2015, with her family at her side. Susan was born September 28, 1944, in Hammond. She is the daughter of the late Mansel and Kathleen (Mead) Langtry. Susan graduated salutatorian from Hammond Central in 1962. Susan married Charles “Dan” Dunham in 1962. The couple owned and operated a dairy farm on the Calaboga Road. In later years after a devastating fire, the couple converted to beef farming and also worked as caretakers on several islands on the St. Lawrence River in the Chippewa Bay region, which they both immensely enjoyed. With her husband, Susan was active in supporting many community activities, such as the local Grange, the Hammond 4-H and FFA fair, and local 4-H clubs. Susan was also involved in community wide efforts, such as the opposition to the 765 KV line, rules regarding wetland development, and more recently an avid proponent of the proposal to bring wind power to the town of Hammond. Susan was also a skilled seamstress, gardener, and cook, with her culinary skills, particularly her pie-making and canning, well known and enjoyed. Susan also loved photography as she provided an extensive photo-chronology of all her family’s activities. In later years she enjoyed traveling, including a cross-country trip with her sister Julie and brother-in-law Tom Rizza, as well as a number of family trips with her children and their families. In 2010, Susan was diagnosed with a rare, incurable Chordoma cancer. She contributed significantly to the development of future treatment courses by providing data and participating in trial work with the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, and the Massachusetts General Chordoma Clinic, in Boston. Susan is survived by a son Paul (Nancy) Dunham, two daughters Debra Dunham (Brian Perretta), and Diana Trahan and son in law Damon Trahan, two grandchildren Mariah Senecal Reilly (Chris), and Nicholas F. Dunham, brother in law Thomas Rizza, a brother James (Peggy) Langtry, a sister Mary Bowden, sisters in law Carol (Dunham) Grey, Betty (Dunham) McCarthy, and Cathy Dunham, and numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Susan’s husband Dan predeceased her in February 2006, and her sister Julie Langtry Rizza in April 2014. Should people so desire, contributions may be made to the Chordoma Foundation, P.O. Box 2127, Durham, North Carolina 27702. Calling hours will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2015, at the Costello Funeral Home, 113 Church Street in Alexandria Bay, NY. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Ingham Cemetery, Sand Street, Hammond, NY.